Starwest Botanicals Inc. is a Sacramento, CA based natural health company in the United States. They sell essential oils, herbal extracts, bulk tea, herbs, spices and more.
The company started out in 1975 as a small retail shop selling herbs. They focus on selling higher quality products that are fresh, potent, and work as intended – at fair and good prices.
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As a conscious essential oil shopper, I am always on the lookout for good companies to buy my oils from. I like to see established production processes, and a company culture that aligns with my own lifestyle values. I am introducing you to Starwest Botanicals because the company fits the bill for me.
They are in line with the approach, values and lifestyle any essential oil lover shares. Using essential oils in their day to day life!
A Brief Company History
Starwest Botanicals was established in 1975 by Van Joerger as a small herbs shop in Sacramento, California. Just 4 years later, he built their first proprietary herb mill to have better control over the processing of their herbs. By 1980, he had started importing herbs from many different countries and suppliers. Today, Starwest Botanicals is one of the largest suppliers of organic herbs in the United States with over 150,000 sq. ft. of modern warehouse and production space. They are proudly still doing business with many of the same customers and suppliers than 40 years ago.
In terms of product offerings and company roots, Starwest Botanicals is quite similar to Mountain Rose Herbs.
Starwest Botanicals Essential Oils Quality
Of course, anyone looking for a Starwest Botanicals review wants to know the quality of the oils. You don’t want to waste your money on essential oils that aren’t the real deal. Trust me, I know! I have tested over 20 essential oil brands in the last 7+ years. And I’ve become quite critical about what I’ll accept in those little amber bottles. I don’t have patience for fake oils or adulterated, stretched products. Assessing the quality of an oil is always my top most priority when doing a review.
Sourcing
All Starwest essential oils are sourced only from the finest and most environmentally conscious growers in the world.
Superior plant quality equates to a superior end product. After extraction, the essential oils yielded are 100% pure and natural.
No Starwest oil is diluted or adulterated in any way, and each oil is exclusive and distinct. To read more about the Starwest essential oils production and process, you can read their quality control statement here.
Testing
Starwest Botanicals maintains a modern, in-house laboratory staffed by experienced professionals. Their website explains an in-depth quality control process, which seems to pertain more to bulk herbs though than essential oils.
I contacted their customer service to learn more about essential oils specific quality processes, and their answer stated: “Our Essential Oils are not third party or GC/MS tested.”
This is not great news, seeing that 3rd party testing can unveil potential impurities or problems.
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Internal Use
Starwest oils are suitable for use in aromatherapy, cosmetics, or potpourris. You may also use your oils for a oh-so-relaxing body massage or bath application. Internal use of Starwest Botanicals essential oils is not recommended.
Product Line-Up
Starwest Botanicals features a line-up of 69 pure essential oils and synergy blends. They also offer 32 certified organic essential oils.
During my review, I’ve found a comprehensive selection of oils at Starwest Botanicals. It’s fun and easy to shop for popular oils such as lavender essential oil. Their web page lists both the organic and a standard variety in the same table. This makes comparison shopping and possibly deciding towards an organic oil, super easy!
Organic Essential Oils
Starwest Botanicals sells essential oils, but not all are certified organic. Out of their line-up of 109 pure essential oils, 22 essential oils are organic – which is great! They are USDA certified organic and allowed to display the seal of certification.
There is a big difference between organic essential oils and their standard counterparts. Organic oils are distilled from fresh, organic plants. The other version does not use the certified organic plants as ingredients. For example, both are Lavender oil. It’s just that the raw materials are sourced from the organic variety of the plants, whereas the other is not.
Starwest isn’t the company with the most organic essential oils offered though. If you want more selection of organic oils, shop with Amrita Aromatherapy.
Shop Starwest Botanicals Organic Essential Oils
Essential Oil Blends
Apart from offering the individual scents of essential oils, Starwest also offers a selection of essential oil blends. What is really handy is that each oil blend product comes in either your standard small 1/3 oz. dropper bottle, or a larger bulk bottle that you can use to always easily and economically refill your small containers. Starwest offers the following 6 essential oil blends:
- BodyCalm: A harmonizing and regulating essential oil blend that can ease mood swings, correct emotional imbalances and relieve stress. It may assist women during the female cycle and with hormonal imbalances.
- BreatheFree: A nourishing blend for the respiratory system. Strengthens your throat, sinuses and lungs by clearing, soothing and opening your throat membranes and tissues.
- NewSelf: This blend helps promote detoxification by assisting your body in its cleansing functions.
- Radiance: This blend warms the body by helping to open your peripheral circulation. It is also great for creating a warm and welcoming scent in any home or office environment.
- Revitalize: An unusual blend that refreshes and sharpens the mind to overcome fatigue and lethargy.
- Serenity: A relaxing and calming blend that provides a meditative and soothing effect perfect for unwinding after a busy day.
Look in the perfumes of flowers and of nature for peace of mind and joy of life. ~ Wang Wei
Natural Body Care Products and Accessories
Apart from shopping for pure essential oils, you will also find a full line-up of natural body care products at Starwest Botanicals. Options include bath salt blends, skin care products, or some pretty cool lavender dryer bags here. A line-up of aromatherapy accessories such as diffuser user necklaces and candle burners complete the shopping experience.
Shop Starwest Botanical Essential Oils Now
Customer Experience
Satisfaction Guarantee
Starwest Botanicals offers a fantastic 100% money back guarantee. They want to make sure your satisfaction with every essential oils order you place. You can contact them for an in-store credit or refund, or for a replacement to be sent out to you immediately.
Price Point
Prices at Starwest Botanicals are extremely fair. At time of writing, 10 ml of Lavender was $10.17. Organic Lavender didn’t cost much more, at just $10.83 for the same bottle size.
Easy Online Ordering
You can order Starwest essential oils online, on Amazon or you can also order by phone. Shopping direct assures the freshest and best product selection.
I find the phone order option comforting, handy and personable. Call 1-800-800-4372 between the hours of 8:00 am & 4:30 pm PST, Monday through Friday. Take note that some items will be considered flammable for shipping purposes and can only be shipped via UPS Ground and UPS Standard to Canada. Make sure to inquire about this if it applies to your order.
Reviews
Other people that have posted reviews on Starwest Botanicals all come to the same conclusion: the price is fair and the quality is good.
Joy
I am experiencing Metastatic Breast Cancer. I trust STARWEST ESSENTIAL OILS to roll with me on my journey. MONEY is non existing. But if I get a TREAT it will be another oil.