FLOWER RXS HOME

AGRIMONY
ASPEN
BEECH
CENTAURY
CERATO
CHERRY PLUM
CHESTNUT BUD
CHICORY
CLEMATIS
CRAB APPLE
ELM
GENTIAN
GORSE
HEATHER
HOLLY
HONEYSUCKLE
HORNBEAM
IMPATIENS
LARCH
MIMULUS
MUSTARD
OAK
OLIVE
PINE
RED CHESTNUT
RESCUE REMEDY
ROCK ROSE
ROCK WATER
SCLERANTHUS
STAROF BETHLEHEM
SWEET CHESTNUT
VERVAIN
VINE
WALNUT
WATER VIOLET
WHITE CHESTNUT
WILD OAT
WILD ROSE
WILLOW

Star of Bethlehem is listed in the group of For Despondency or Despair, as classified by Bach. The additional remedies of this group are Crab Apple, Oak, Willow, Sweet Chestnut, Elm, Pine, and Larch. Specifically, Star of Bethlehem treats states of grief and shock.

In the Star of Bethlehem state, the mind is closed down and has retreated into a state of shock and grief. The bad news received can be so severe, as to not find full acceptance by the conscious mind which may not be able to cope with the inevitability of the grief-causing circumstances.
The mind uses several ways to defend against the integration of such shocking news. Other remedies, in addition to Star of Bethlehem, may be asked for, these being indicated in brackets in the following text. Initially, we usually encounter outcry and protest against such misfortune. Subsequently, there can be denial and a desperate hope that the news are not true, plus internal numbing or standstill which does not allow for the experience of grief to surface fully. This postponement of affects may last for years, and one usually notices signs of mental/emotional deadening, as if parts of the personality had gone to sleep or had closed down in shock (Wild Rose).
Another reaction to grief, while there may be some internal numbing as well, is the gliding over or taking lightly those things that cannot be changed, and one may actually show cheer and lift up others in their grief. Here, internal agony is present but hidden from others (Agrimony).
Another coping mechanism is undue anger and prolonged outrage which help the suffering person to overcome helplessness and reassert personal force which had been unable to prevent the saddening events (Holly). On the other hand, if helplessness and resignation are succumbed to (Wild Rose), the grieving person may retreat into introversion and depression and hide inner feelings from others, not allowing the matter to be touched or worked through with the help of others (Mustard).
Lifting the mind to a possible reunion in the future, should a loved one have died (Clematis), or dwelling on beloved memories of the past (Honeysuckle), are two other ways to lessen the severity of grief and help the mind to accept the inevitability of events. Usually, these states arise after the initial shock subsides.
Resenting one's fate and rejecting the experience is another avenue of shunning the full experience of grief (Willow), or the whole event is criticized, not fully integrated into one's heart and not allowed to create pain (Beech). One may also resort to exaggerated thoughts of nihilism and meaninglessness and discount the value of life and its treasures in general (Sweet Chestnut).
In post-traumatic stress disorder, when psychological disturbances due to the traumatic impact prevail, Star of Bethlehem brings about healing (cf. Rock Rose). The remedy is also indicated in adjustment disorder which represents a milder reaction to a less severe trauma.

If emotions are allowed to be expressed fully, there is the complete experience of sadness with heart-wrenching impact, deepest pain, and despair. Despondency and hopelessness settle over the heart like a heavy blanket. In this stage of intrusiveness, meaning the full experience of emotions, additional feelings such as fear, shame, frustration, and guilt can surface.
After the initial outcry that may be accompanied by denial, the stage of intrusiveness prepares the personality to integrate and work through the shocking experience and move into the stage of acknowledgment of limitations and possibilities. From here, as healing happens and emotions balance with reason and clarity, moving forward and proceeding with life is possible again.

To comfort the heart. To release the trauma of grief and prevent states of shock from imprinting on the mental/emotional and physical, cellular level.