John's Favorite Recipes

Over the years, John Gallagher shared countless recipes, stories, and herbal teachings that helped people feel more connected to the plants and to each other. Whether you knew him through his epic webinars with Rosalee de la Forêt, HerbMentor, HerbMentor Radio, or Wildcraft!, you likely caught a glimpse of his passion for making herbal learning fun, accessible, and deeply meaningful.

As we continue to grieve John's passing, one way we’ve been remembering him is through the simple, everyday ways he brought herbs into his life—and encouraged others to do the same. In this article, we’re celebrating John’s legacy by sharing a few of his favorite herbal recipes.

These recipes are more than just delicious or supportive: they’re part of the legacy John built with love, creativity, and a deep belief in the power of the plants.

1. Elderberry Syrup

This immune-supportive elderberry syrup was a daily staple in John’s life: he had it every morning with breakfast. It was also one of the remedies featured in the Herbal Remedy Kit, a beloved starter kit John helped create over 20 years ago to make herbal medicine-making more approachable for everyone.

2. Dandelion “Coffee”

If you’ve ever heard John talk about dandelions, you know how much he loved this humble plant. To him, each dandelion was a chance to shift someone’s perspective: from seeing it as a “weed” to recognizing it as a healing ally. Dandelion coffee was one of his favorite ways to enjoy the root’s grounding energy and liver-loving benefits. Another way John loved to enjoy dandelion roots was in a chai tea blend. He drank it daily through the fall and winter.

3. Nettle Nourishing Infusion

Also included in the Herbal Remedy Kit, nettle infusion was a regular drink in John’s routine. He appreciated the vibrant, green energy that nettle offered, as well as its rich storehouse of minerals. This deeply nourishing infusion was one of the many ways John practiced simple, daily wellness.

4. Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mint-Infused Butter

John had a serious soft spot for chocolate chip cookies, and he loved adding a little herbal magic to classic recipes. One of his favorites featured mint-infused butter, which brought a subtle, refreshing note to each bite. You can follow our Astragalus Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and infuse the butter with peppermint or spearmint for your own herbal twist.

5. AshwaMacaMocha Shake (AKA "Root Dirt")

This energizing shake was one of John’s favorites—he affectionately called it “Root Dirt” for its earthy, invigorating blend of tonic herbs and cacao. While the original version can be found in Kimberly’s book Aphrodisiac, if you don’t have access to the book, this adaptogen shake recipe makes a great stand-in. Just add a spoonful of cacao to bring in that chocolatey goodness, and you’ll have a creamy, nourishing drink that channels the same uplifting spirit. You can also experiment with adding maca and dandelion root powders for an extra tonic boost.

Whether you make one of these recipes today or simply sip your tea a little more mindfully, we hope this roundup brings a sense of connection: to John, to the plants, and to the beautiful web of herbalists and learners he helped weave together.

Written by Tara Ruth

Tara Ruth is an herbalist and the Communications Director at LearningHerbs. She graduated from the California School of Herbal Studies’ Community Herbalist Program and is a total herb nerd. Tara is passionate about teaching folks how to become confident home herbalists. In her free time, you can find Tara hiking in the forest and waving to all the plants along the way.