![<img src='https://images.vital.ly/monographs/tr:w-800,c-at_max,dpr-2,q-100/STAR OF BETHLEHEM_vital_ly.png' /> Star of bethlehem](https://images.vital.ly/monographs/tr:w-800,c-at_max,dpr-2,q-100/STAR%20OF%20BETHLEHEM_vital_ly.png)
Background
The cardiac glycosides in star of Bethlehem affect the heart. These chemicals can slow the heart rate down.
People use star of Bethlehem for congestive heart failure (CHF), but there is no good scientific evidence to support this use. Using star of Bethlehem is unsafe.
Safety Safety definitions
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Star of Bethlehem is likely unsafe when taken by mouth while pregnant or breast-feeding. Consuming star of Bethlehem can lead to serious side effects, including death.Heart disease: Star of Bethlehem contains chemicals that can interfere with heart disease drugs and make heart disease worse. Avoid use.
Low blood potassium levels: It's unsafe to use star of Bethlehem if you have low potassium levels. Avoid use.
Effectiveness
Dosing & administration
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Antibiotics (Macrolide antibiotics)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Taking some antibiotics might increase how much star of Bethlehem the body absorbs. This might increase the effects and side effects of star of Bethlehem.
Antibiotics (Tetracycline antibiotics)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Taking some antibiotics might increase how much star of Bethlehem the body absorbs. This might increase the effects and side effects of star of Bethlehem.
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Digoxin helps the heart beat more strongly. Star of Bethlehem also seems to affect the heart. Taking star of Bethlehem along with digoxin can increase the effects and the risk of side effects of digoxin and star of Bethlehem. Do not take star of Bethlehem if you are taking digoxin without talking to your healthcare professional.
Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Star of Bethlehem can affect the heart. Some medications for inflammation can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart. Taking these products together can increase the risk of side effects.
Quinine
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Quinine might increase the amount of star of Bethlehem the body absorbs. Taking quinine along with star of Bethlehem might increase the effects and side effects of star of Bethlehem.
Stimulant laxatives
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Star of Bethlehem can affect the heart. Stimulant laxatives can cause diarrhea and decrease potassium levels. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart. Taking these products together can increase the risk of side effects.
Water pills (Diuretic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Star of Bethlehem can affect the heart. "Water pills" can decrease potassium levels. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart. Taking these products together can increase the risk of side effects.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs that contain cardiac glycosides: Star of Bethlehem contains chemicals that can affect the heart. These chemicals are called cardiac glycosides. Using it along with other supplements that also contain cardiac glycosides can increase the risk of heart damage. Examples of supplements that contain cardiac glycosides include black hellebore, foxglove, lily-of-the-valley, oleander, and pleurisy root.
Horsetail: Star of Bethlehem contains chemicals that can affect the heart. Horsetail can decrease potassium levels. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart. Taking these products together can increase the risk of side effects.
Licorice: Star of Bethlehem contains chemicals that can affect the heart. Licorice can decrease potassium levels. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart. Taking these products together can increase the risk of side effects.
Stimulant laxative herbs: Star of Bethlehem contains chemicals that can affect the heart. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart. Taking these products together can increase the risk of side effects. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, alder buckthorn, gossypol, rhubarb, and senna.
Interactions with foods
Products
View all products- Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star of Bethlehem)
- Mimulus guttatus
- Helianthemum nummularium (Rock rose)
- Populus tremula (herb) (Aspen)
- Prunus cerasifera (Cherry plum)
- Clematis vitalba
- Impatiens glandulifera
- Aesculus hippocastanum (Horsechestnut)
- Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star of Bethlehem)
- Prunus cerasifera (Cherry plum)
- Clematis vitalba
- Helianthemum nummularium (Rock rose)
- Mimulus guttatus
- Impatiens glandulifera
- Populus tremuloides (Aspen)
- Aesculus hippocastanum (Horsechestnut)
- Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star of Bethlehem)
- Prunus cerasifera (Cherry plum)
- Clematis vitalba
- Impatiens glandulifera
- Helianthemum nummularium (Rock rose)
- Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star of Bethlehem)
- Clematis vitalba
- Mimulus guttatus
- Impatiens glandulifera
- Calluna vulgaris (Heather)
- Aesculus hippocastanum (Horsechestnut)