Young Living Essential Oils
Of the thousands of multi-level marketing (MLM) scams that exist today, some of the most ethically questionable involve products that claim to heal serious illness and disease. One such company is Young Living Essential Oils, founded by D. Gary Young (and no, the D. does not stand for ‘Doctor’. More on that later.)
Young Living Essential Oils is a typical MLM scam; the victim signs up as a distributor, purchases a starter kit containing products at apparent ‘wholesale’ prices, and then goes on to sell said products and sign up other unsuspecting victims. For each person that you sign up below you, there is a chance to earn commission on not only all of the products they sell, but also on anyone else they manage to sign up as a distributor below them.
The product in this case is a variety of essential oils that distributors swear can cure everything from arthritis to cancer. Similar to other MLM scams, Young Living Essential Oils official documentation shies away from making direct claims as to the medicinal power of their essential oil blends. Such medical claims would draw the attention of governing bodies such as the FDA and leave Young Living Essential Oils open to the legal ramifications of making such false statements. Instead, the company relies on word of mouth spread by distributors who have used the products and believe the oils healed them.
The FDA has cited Young Living Essential Oils on more than one occasion for misleading labeling on their essential oil products, and independent testing has revealed several chemicals, including artificial chemical fragrances, that do not appear on the ingredient list for these alleged ‘natural’ products. Founder Donald Gary Young has been arrested multiple times for misrepresenting himself as a doctor, a naturopath, misleading and deceptive advertising of products claiming to be medicinal, and the distribution and sale of falsified medical treatments. As if that wasn’t enough, Young was also arrested for assault when he attacked employees (including his former wife) with an axe at a company he founded, Young Living, Inc., after they removed him for erratic behavior, fraudulent use of company money, and again misrepresenting himself as a medical doctor.
Following his arrests in Washington, California and Utah, D. Gary Young moved his business to Mexico where he opened a clinic using his essential oil blends to treat cancer and other terminal illnesses. Victims submit blood samples via mail and receive an invitation to the clinic following results that indicate cancerous cells are present. Patients must pay in cash, usually thousands of dollars per week, to have essential oils dripped over their bodies by unlicensed practitioners. The clinic has been the subject of investigation – undercover agents have submitted blood samples independently verified to not contain cancerous cells and were told by Gary Young’s clinic that the patient required immediate treatment for cancer. One of the blood samples belonged to a chicken, and yet again the results came back positive for human cancer.
Promotional videos for Young Living Essential Oils use testimonials from people that have used the oils and received some sort of benefit from them. The people in the video elude to the miraculous power of the essential oils while never actually saying anything substantial about them. Phrases such as “I suffer from arthritis and couldn’t imagine my life without Young Living Essential Oils”, or “I use Young Living Essential Oils every day for my tumour” mislead victims into believing that the products have medicinal value while protecting Young Living from potential lawsuits, FDA approval or the need for scientific testing. In fact, founder Gary Young has refused to allow the FDA to evaluate his products and substantiate his medical claims, arguing that he does not want the government “interfering” with his research. Loosely using terms such as ‘cancer’, ‘tumour’ and ‘disease’ in their promotional material leads victims to a false conclusion that the Young Living Essential Oils have been proven to treat these illness. The terms are simply used in the same sentences as Young Living Essential Oils, with the hope that victims make the assumption on their own. The most terrifying thought is that these claims could potentially cause victims to use Young Living Essential Oils in place of or instead of seeking legitimate medical advice or treatment.
At the end of the promotional videos we learn that all of the testimonials are given by people who are themselves distributors of the product. Distributor success stories on the Young Living website are similarly filled with talk of signing up new distributors, with little mention of the actual product itself. Alarm bells should be ringing loud and clear at this point – if the selling of actual product is overshadowed by an attempt to get you to sign up as a distributor, you are without a doubt dealing with a multi-level marketing scheme!
As with most MLM schemes, victims who have invested money to become distributors are not likely to see the ‘business opportunity’ for what it actually is – a scam. There are many reasons for this:
- They do not want to admit their error in judgment, especially after pitching to friends and family members
- They do not want to admit to themselves that they have wasted their time and money, or that they have been scammed
- They may truly believe in the product they are selling.
When someone is trying to sell you on some business opportunity they just got involved with and they defensively explain that it’s not MLM: that’s when you know without any doubt that it is.
Further Reading:
- A Critical Look at Gary Young and Young Living Essential Oils by Dr. Stephen Barrett
- D Gary Young Essentially Off the Wall
33 User Reviews 
Our reviews are based on information from consumer complaint websites, ratings from the Better Business Bureau, bulletins from the Federal Trade Commission & other government agencies, news articles, television reports, and plain old common sense. Tried one of the products reviewed here? You can share your experience via the user review section.
I am in the process of talking with one of the distributors who joined just to buy for herself and has had some very good results. Her husband is completely off allergy meds by using the oils. She isn’t signing me up. She’s selling it for her cost to anyone who wants it and one of the ladies who is a public speaker for YL encourages that or joining just to purchase without any profit. I don’t know about all the claims against them, but that area I have seen first-hand and the MLM claims against them don’t seem to hold up.
dear samantha can you show proof of the agent use of chicken blood testing or are you just blowing air. in other words show me the proof. [email address removed]
Editor’s note:
The chicken blood sample was actually sent in by a reporter from the LA Times. That info was pulled from QuackWatch.com, here.
This is one of the most misleading articles I’ve ever read online. It quotes quackwatch.org. Wow! Do your research.
Editor’s Response:
Really? I challenge you to expose all the “misleading” information presented in this article on a point by point basis.
I had signed up for Young Living basically to buy these products to use for myself or at home or on clients (as something additional, not as a cure all). I understand the difference in what helps people and I don’t buy into hype. Anyway, I just lost the distributorship status because I order over $50 of product for the last year but not $50 at ONE time! In order to reactivate, I need to buy another starter kit for $40 or place a $100 order. Neither of which I’m willing to do right now. At no time did they contact me and say, hey you didn’t meet your purchase level. The customer service people were extremely rude and all they would say is you agreed to this purchase level. I’m like – but you’re not listening to me! How do you run a business like this? This is sad. And most of their stuff is overpriced anyway. They think they have got something better than gold in the purest form. I love their products but their business practices are nothing to be raved about. And some of their claims are questionable.
I spoke to someone at work who sells this product as a distributor and when I went to the site I can see why it is very easy to get caught up in the product especially the thieves products. I have practiced herbalism for sometime and after review of the products I couldn’t find enough proof from the company to convince me they have something overly fantastic. Essential Oils are not something you can just go rubbing on the body or ingesting any time you feel like getting a boost of energy or relieving a pain. I am going to do more research on this product overall but for the most part I find that if you want the real deal and you want to save a dollar than just make it yourself with fresh herbs. The problem is that people want to get rich quick so they are willing to jump on anything and hope it sticks.
well Don, I am not sure why that would happen to you. I have been a distributor for a year. I have never been told that. I order monthly and I was told I have to have 50 PV not necessarily 50 dollars. to get the cheap rate for delivery. I can skip one month in a year. I also then receive free items every once in awhile.
NO I do not have anyone signed up under me. I just buy for myself.
Young Living’s information that it’s distributors use to discuss why the essential oils work is just plain wrong. The talk about essential oils being the same as bloods in plants, and say that plants can’t live without them.
Plants use xylem to transport water and minerals and phloem to transport nutrients, these are the “blood” of plants. Plants use essential oils as attractants and defense. Some plants don’t even produce essential oils. Plants can be bred to produce less of the materials.
This company doesn’t even have it’s basic science correct, I would be sceptical about any other claims that they are making. Essential oils can be used for a variety of uses, but caution should be employed, as some of them can be toxic depending on the situation.
I find this discussion interesting, as I have used YLEO for some time and never had a problem with the quality. I think it’s more the way the product is sold by people who have no clue about the volitility of using any essential oil even those from the health food store that makes them dangerous.
Use of essential oils as with anything must be explained properly to consumers, just as using herbs are dangerous to the uneducated.
I do agree that the entire industry needs to be monitored better, and people make all kinds of claims aimed at those with a ‘get rich quick’ mindset because it works.
What I find about the discussion here is painting an entire industry and product line with such a broad brush as to be meaningless, especially when in any industry (including on the internet) there are bound to be a few bad apples.
I have lived with the Young Family and have known Dr. Young since 1991. I know all about the gossip and mis-information written on this site. The information is twisted and a very unjust thing was been done in the written word against myself, other YLEO members and Dr. Young.
I have been most forunate to have access to theraputic oils, for the opportunity for personal growth and grateful for an income that I work hard for. I have been an educator for Essential Oils for many years, and have found the consistent theraputic quality in every bottle grown, partered and formulated by Dr. Young. Your facts are not true. I was there’
Editor’s Response:
This offer is open to anyone: “I challenge you to expose all the ‘misleading’ information presented in this article on a point by point basis.”
People need to quit posting lame/vague stuff like “all about the gossip and mis-information written on this site”. What misinformation? What distortions of fact? What lies? Oh, that’s right: this article is factually accurate. And, facts that conflict with your feelings are still facts.
Young Living oils saved my life while all other forms of alternative and particulary medicinal treatments failed. Those people that knock YL products have obviously never used them or taken the time to understand the power of these high quality oils.
We are lead like sheep to beleive that a pill is the only answer these days. The universe gave us these plants before pills – shame the universe didnt give the “knockers” of YL products the brains or the guts to use them and make up there own minds. They carry on about MLM and the inflated prices yet say nothing about the inflated prices fixing of supermarkets and fuel companies.
Without Young Living products I would not be alive today – theres always 2 sides to every story, its such a shame people are either uneducated or my guess is they feel quite threatened to think that its so easy to obtain good health from these products which is what the company focus is all about!
I buy Young Living products and they help me with all kinds of things. I don’t think ANYTHING in this world is a sure cure and I don’t know anyone in Young Living who says that it does. When I ask for suggestions on help with a certain treatment they will not so as not to come across as you suggest. And, I don’t know everything about Gary Young, but he started a company that produces fabulous products. Give him a break! Tiger Woods was unfaithful, but his fans still turned out to watch him play golf, you know what I mean. Until you try the products for a period of time, I really don’t think you have any room to criticize and slander other people! Cynics are unhappy, something to consider.
Editor reply:
It’s only “slander” if it’s not true. In which case, Gary can sue me. Send an email his way with a link. Trust me, no suit will be filed.
Thanks, Samantha for this insight. I just attened a YL presentation recently. While I do believe in essential oil therapy (and herbal therapy), the YL thing is totally a scam.
The prices are totally ridiculous. You can obtain certified organic oils (like Aura Cacia) for a fraction of the price.
The fact that they suggest ingestion of some of their oils is ridiculous. Several of the YL devotees at the presentation talked about putting a couple of drops of one of the oil blends into hot water every morning & drinking it like tea. The blend has eucalyptus in it, which is toxic.
I would never suggest that essential oils aren’t helpful with conditions, I would definitely suggest that it’s the essential oils themselves, not the brand. Obviously, to buy into spending so much, these folks have to believe that the YL oil is SO TOTALLY DIFFERENT. (The psychology of marketing & advertising. compelling, yes?)
Anyway, I’m glad I checked this guy out. Thanks for the article.
Well, this article seems to elude to the fallacy that “if the government doesn’t approve of it, it must not be good”. After looking at everything the government completely screws up, my mindset is, order away!!
These essential oils have helped me in many ways and they do work.
It’s a Scam. Save your money.
http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/young.html
I have used essential oils for many years, and have been buying Young Living oils for the last eight years. I do not have anyone “under” me, and use the oils for my own health and share them with folks who show an interest. I usually provide oils at cost to people who need them, but sometimes create oil blends that people pay me for and I make a little profit. From my own experience, essential oils heal a variety of challenging health issues. (Contact me if you want specifics – it would take too much space to explain them here). As for internal ingestion, I have put oils in caps at the onset of cold symptoms and have put a stop to my illness and not had any negative side effects. I put up with the MLM part of the Young Living distribution program because their oils are better than any of the others I have tried. MLM is a marketing system that uses word of mouth rather than expensive advertising. It works if you have a good product. Who is to say if it is any worse than Pfizer, for example, where profits are accumulated at the top with CEO/CFO and board members making millions and workers making comparatively little… The gossip about Gary Young is just that, and I don’t care one way or the other about it. I have heard him speak, and he is too “Christian evangelical” for me (he is very emotional and sometimes reminds me of the born again preachers you see on TV), but it is the products – the oils – that keep me with Young Living – not Gary Young. I am convinced, after years of personal trials, that the oils work, and that they (Young Living Oils) are the highest quality and most effective out of the many I have tried.
I buy YL’s SleepEssence from a friend who sells to me at her cost. I have only tried this one product, but it works 99% of the time. I have been sleep deprived for years & this works for me. I would highly recommend it.
How about some factual details from the author. Even after you were specifically asked you only Cited your source for the chicken blood as a Los Angeles Times reporter. How about a name, date and contact information since you are so defensive about details and facts?
How about citing both sides of the story with arrests? Was anyone convicted? What was Mr. Young doing with an axe in the first place? If you don’t know, why do you only print half truths? If you do know, why do you only print half truths. Quackwatch is exactly what its title portrays – Quacks watching. Don’t you think leading news stations and leading television reporting shows would have jumped all over these stories if they had the “meat” you insinuate they have?
If people are getting benefit from the oils, what is your problem? Free country, free market. Where are the so called victims of toxic poisoning from the oils that you imply in your propaganda? Where are those specifics?
Anyone can print half truths and be legally cleared of slander. Why don’t you visit some PhD’s working as quality control inspectors for some of the big name drug companies and get them to talk to you on or off the record. Are you naive enough to think every batch of FDA approved medication is pure and free of contaminants?
If you want to report atrocities, I suggest you actually do some thorough research. THank you for your time.
I started using YL essential oils about 2 months ago. In a 6 month period I had spent hundreds of dollars on pain meds, anti-inflammatory meds, chiropractic care, accupuncture, and physiotherapy for a ruptured disc, and I was off work for 3 weeks. I was introduced to the essential oils by a co-worker who saw me in pain daily once I was able to return to work. I figured I didn’t have anything to lose, so gave them a try. In less than 2 weeks, I had such remarkable improvement, I am completely sold on them. I couldn’t possibly care less how the business end of the product line works……I only know that they work for me. I buy them directly from my co-worker, have no interest in being a distributor, and have not once been approached to be a distributor.
Wow, I am totally gobsmacked at how skeptical people are. Who are you people to say it’s a scam? I am a Raindrop practitioner in Australia, and I think I know what I’m talking about because I am also a massage therapist and homeopath. The oils work! I have not had 1 client come back with a response that it did nothing for them! EVER!!!
Raindrop Technique is a complimentary medicine, just the same as naturopathy, homeopathy, massage and kinesiology. No one who practices any of these modalities are legally allowed to make a claim to heal any disease or sickness. The only people who are going to get taken for a ride are the people after a quick fix – or people filled with so much negativity they’ll always be unwell.
I would never rely on a single type of medicine to fix myself, and no one else should either. Medical doctors are here for a reason, but on the same token, complimentary medicine works. It really does.
OPEN YOUR MIND PEOPLE!
AND TO THE EDITOR : Have you ever used the oils? You know for more than a day? Have you ever given them the chance to work for you? Put aside your negative views and just let it work? Ever had a Raindrop technique? Ever seen the result first hand of the oils aiding a person who had given up on all other forms of treatment? I HAVE! And so have hundreds of other people out there. Give it a go, you’ll probably even change your mind.
I am sorry, but after reviewing the reports listed with the BBB and other federal companies, there are no such complaints of what is accused. I am not convinced.
“other federal companies”
lol… I’m beginning to doubt that you have the mental capacity to be “convinced.” You sure have sold yourself on YL though.
Hello:
I have been a Young LIving distributor since 1998. I believe from a spectrometic standpoint, they do have the best plant oils. The oils most certainly DO contain healing and therapeutic properties. All non pisonous herbs were used for centuries as medicine and worked, PRIOR TO the drugs that only pollute the cellular environment and do not heal. But, their therapeutic effect is directly proportional to the amount of body toxicity. In other words the less toxicity, the more they work.
I do not agree with the claims made by Gary Young that they eradicate disease. Some of the information can be relied upon.
The source of this critique can definitely be traced the Barret who has been told to cease and desist a long time ago by a judge. He is FOR chemical poisons known as drugs, and I believe he gets paid for downgrading any kind of natural healing. Is the body natural? My body is natural. Natural healing works for me.
I wouldn’t say concentrate on finding fault with Gary Young, rather look back into history and find out how the ancients healed themselves. I think Gary Young may have done some shady things in his past, I don’t like his rules that push selling, however one of his products called Essentialzyme saved my life a few years ago when the medics had no answers or would even look at my problem.
My abilities in natural healing supercede Gary Young’s or any other protocol or products.
I have proven The Natural Healing Paradigm works and also now use Young Living’s oils as an adjunct to my protocol. This information is non arguable, so I don’t feel like picking Gary Young apart, only to say I do not like MLM companies in general. That’s not to say they don’t have good products.
People spend lots of money on drugs, beer, smoking etc and line the pockets of those who supply this garbage. Sure YL oil may be over priced but in my opinion I would rather pay for a quality product. Oils bought elsewhere may be diluted etc. If people eat right and exercise then I would say yes try the oils. There is hype on both sides. Toss out all hype and just try it for yourself. If it doesn’t do anything then stop using it. Essential oils come from plants and where does medicine come from? Everything in moderation!!!
Just because your a disgruntled employee that can’t find a job doesn’t mean you have to take it out on Dr. Young.
LOL you ppl at young living think we dumb? its obvious that every one who claims that this artical is false or misleading is either working for Gary Young or is a distributor LOL i have used the so called medicine for nearly year nad i fell RIPPED off cause i still have bad artheritis the only treatment is Methotrexate with out it i can hardly move i tried these oils and they are nothing but SCAM so STOP trying to ripp us off its bad enough we are sick or you make us believe we are sick for profit it is very LOW
I was introduced to YL by my chiropractor, who I think is walking an ethical fine line selling these products to her patients and signing them up as distributors. The oils smell great-I can’t tell that they are superior to other brands in quality, but the prices are outrageous. I’ve compared them to oils from other sources I trust, and they are always 30 to 50 percent more expensive. A friend accompanied me to the initial presentation and after she placed a $400 order, I got a check for $100. The MLM is what makes the oils so expensive. Kickbacks have to come from somewhere. It strikes me as a complete irony that one of their blends is called, “Thieves.” It does smell good, though. YL recommends applying the oils neat, and I’ve never seen this in any other aromatherapy educational materials, which always say oils must be in a carrier oil or cream.
It seems to me that some of these comments have been left by trolls. It is also possible that I am wrong, and the magic oil will align my pleurons with the electrical field of my aura, causing my Orgone energy levels to increase mightily.
The roll on for sore muscles seems to work alright, but I can get similar results from a Chinese medicine plaster (or in a liquid form) for MUCH less than they are asking in the catalog.
The quackwatch article seemed to be very well researched. I trust the sources cited in that article more than I trust Mr. Young.
That’s funny how “Maria” and “B” call him “Dr. Young” up there! BWAAAHAHAHA!!! He’s not a doctor!!! YOU IDIOTS!!! That kind of shows the whole consistent mentality of it, doesn’t it? Don’t stop wishing! If you really want to, you too can go to school and become an actual doctor, Mr. Young! Until then, I think playing doctor is not quite sane when you charge people and are not actually trained to practice medicine. Leave my sister alone, you freaking bastards! You have her hooked on this shit like it’s some kind of cult or something! WTF?
Yeah George, you’re right. It does appear that the good comments here are staged.
Certainly miseading, if anyone has a doubt that plants are essentially the best, by that I mean the least costly to consumers and the Earth and safe to your body (remember what pharmeceutical companies always end their advertisements with: risk of…ah many terrible things) then you are being falsely lead by the dominant market forces. Haha most of our best technology, including pharmeceuticals, are mere mimics of the natural system. Plus by extracting the oils from the plants, it is proven, that the ressonating/life frequency of the plants as well as its antioxidant capacity is enhanced greatly. I am one of the most skeptical consumers around and always do my research. Right now I am am stocking up with every penny on Young Living oils, because, as a very intuitive individual, I see great sustained value in their use in the face of collapse.
Well, It sounds to me that you might of had a bad go of things, I have multiple sclerosis, and let me say, I do make my own essential oils and buy some of there’s. and I know for a fact, there’s are awesome. I have cleared gingivitis with thieves, yes I can say that with certainty. I have felt enlightenment also with peace and clarity. I have a auto-immune disease, and I know what I feel, and what it cured, when a antibiotic didn’t. so I don’t put my heath on what the government says for sure… I used to be a RN, and I also know the government and FDA keep information away to make money so that’s not a big leverage if that’s what you want to use. Later, they come back and say OH, by the way if you used this drug now you can sue for bla bla bla, thanks now that i have irritable bowel yea , wasn’t that reglan, and what a Yaz, yea there’s another approval, so what ever about them. I don’t want you chasing way people from essential oils because you had a bad day with Dr. young. They do work, they do help with pain. believe me I have a auto immune disease i should know. Its just like a church goer that had a bad time with the priest and closes 1000 churches were do the other’s go for salvation. Think about what your doing before you cast your stones…. and who your hurting. Michelle waters. a x nurse and disabled American that cares. you should too
Ps. I really don’t understand why would you included his “former wife with and axe” that just makes the article even more bizzare. she should of been arrested that is very wrong of her. How would anyone feel with a mad women comming at them with an axe… thats just unstable emotion “maybe she needs some young drop’s lol…..
Michelle? Seriously. Read that part again about the attack with the axe. His wife was attacked, along with employees by D. Gary Young. HE is the one that should have been arrested. Maybe you have had too many drops of young essential oils??