Who is Gary Young?

After receiving a Master's Degree in Nutrition and a Doctorate in Naturopathy, Gary opened a family practice in Chula Vista, California, as well as a research clinic in Mexico.  (There, he could do research in the areas of natural healing not allowed in the United States.)  His work in Mexico was of such magnitude that, in 1985, he received the Humanitarian Award from the State Medical Examiner's Office of Baja California for his research into, and successful treatment of, degenerative disease (one of only six such awards ever given). 

In 1994, Gary and his wife Mary founded Young Living Essential Oils, the world leader in essential oils. Headquartered in Utah, the company has grown in the 20-plus years since to have farms all over the world, as well as offices in France, Canada, Japan, Australia, Europe, Singapore, and many others.

Gary Young’s journey with essential oils began when he was a young man. He grew up in Idaho and at the age of 17  moved to Canada to pursue a career in logging and ranching. At the age of 24, Young suffered a near–fatal logging accident that left him in a coma for three weeks. The accident left Young paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. Depression set in and deepened until he decided it was time to make a change! Three years after his accident he began to regain feeling in his toes and legs. Gary then began using essential oils to relieve his pain and eventually he regained complete feeling and mobility. Thirteen years later, he ran a half marathon.

He believed these oils were the key to helping himself and others recover from adversity and improve emotional and physical wellbeing. Gary spent the decades that followed traveling around the world to learn about essential oil chemistry, cutting-edge distillation techniques, and the wellness potential of these oils. 

In November of 1995, Gary was invited to speak at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) International Congress on Essential Oils held in Eskeshehir, Turkey.  He presented research that was being conducted on Young Living's essential oil blends and single oils at Weber State University, and on organic farming and plant germination at the farm in Idaho.  His work was received with tremendous enthusiasm, and many who attended showed great interest in what we are doing as a means for improving their economies.

Since then, Gary has spoken at the First International Symposium on Integrative Aromatic Medicine in Grasse, France (March 21-22, 1998), where he presented papers on both the cultivation and distillation of essential oils in North American and the use of essential oils in a clinical setting.  He has spent several years in the chemistry department at Weber State University to prove the validity of this ancient science, and is currently teaching and doing groundbreaking research at a university in Equador. 

Gary loves the challenge of research and discovery, which has driven him deep into the history of early medicine and essential oils.  He has gone from the ruins of ancient Egypt and the archaeology archives of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, from the British Museum Library in London and his own laboratory to the rain forests of Equador in an exciting adventure of discovery.  He is one of the foremost authorities on essential oils in the world. 

On the Young Living farms, botanicals for the world’s highest quality pure essential oils are cultivated with care, harvested to exacting specifications, distilled carefully, and tested rigorously. The farms grow many of the plants used to create therapeutic–grade Young Living Essential Oils, which are shared around the world through the growing network of Young Living distributors.

To share the benefits of essential oils with the world, Gary Young founded Young Living Essential Oils. Young Living Essential Oils produces the world’s purest and most effective essential oils. Today, the company has offices and farms worldwide. It has become the largest, private-owned essential oil company in the world.

Gary has also written many publications and spoken at several conferences about the benefits of pure essential oils. He is considered a leading expert on the topic, as well as an inspiring motivational speaker.

Through his nonprofit organization, The D. Gary Young Foundation, Gary has provided countless individuals and communities all over the world with educational, economic, and medical support. Most notably, he and his foundation built a new elementary school in Guayaquil, Ecuador that provides the students with materials crucial for learning and building a brighter future. No matter what project he is working on, at the heart of Gary Young’s work is a profound dedication to helping others feel well and empowered.