Born in Austria, the son of an herbalist and naturalist, Horst began a three-year apprenticeship in the beauty and salon industry at the age of 14. Since the mid-1960s he specialized in analyzing the chemical constitution of plants while also pioneering the practical use of flower and plant-based flavor-aroma-therapy, functional foods and nutraceuticals for the benefit of personal health and well being. In his continuing effort to study plant-based medicine, he has collaborated with noted physicians, chemists and pharmacognosists as well as experts and traditional healers throughout the world, especially in India and Asia, and with tribes in the Brazilian Rainforest and North America. Horst is the recipient of a honoris causa doctorate in Ayurveda from Gurukul Mahavidyalaya Twalapur, Haridwar University.

Horst was voted by the Austrian press along with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Wolfgang Puck as one of the most notable Austrians living in America. In 2004, Horst was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the beauty industry. He is also an advisor and supporter of the United Plant Savers and the Cancer Prevention Coalition. In addition, he is the founder and chairman of the Horst Rechelbacher Foundation; a philanthropic organization dedicated to social and environmental preservation projects that operate at the grass-roots level. Horst is one of the three original founders of BSR, Business for Social Responsibility, which illustrates his belief that businesses not only have the responsibility but the greatest opportunity to provide sustainability to all living species.

Horst has authored two books Rejuvenation and Aveda Rituals and is currently working on his third book The Business of Being . Inspiring and practical, they discuss the interconnectedness of all domains: health and beauty; of mind, body and spirit; and of our bodies and the larger body we must all care for called Earth. Horst lectures internationally on topics ranging from socially responsible businesses to petrochemical-based societies versus plant-based societies to the mutual dependence of all things. He also teaches team and environmental integrated business management.

Horst currently resides in Wisconsin and New York City. He continues to promote through profit and non-profit organizations alike, sustainable development and constructive environmental practices.