John Gallagher, Visionary Herbalist and LearningHerbs Co-Founder, Dies After Battle with Depression

John Gallagher, Visionary Herbalist and LearningHerbs Co-Founder, Dies After Battle with Depression

The global herbalism community is mourning the profound loss of John Gallagher, a pioneering educator, compassionate innovator, and co-founder of LearningHerbs, whose life’s work touched the lives of countless individuals exploring natural health and plant-based healing. Gallagher passed away following a courageous and private battle with stress and depression. He was a beloved teacher, a husband, a father, and a passionate advocate for making herbalism accessible, empowering, and joyful.

Born with an unshakable curiosity for the natural world and a heart dedicated to service, John Gallagher was far more than an herbalist—he was a visionary. Alongside his wife Kimberly Gallagher, John co-founded LearningHerbs.com, a platform that revolutionized how people around the world engage with herbal wisdom. What began as a grassroots educational website soon blossomed into one of the most trusted and approachable resources for beginning and intermediate herbalists. His influence reached global proportions, inspiring new generations of plant healers and community educators.

Through LearningHerbs, John and Kimberly created innovative tools like the Herbal Remedy Kit, the Wildcraft! board game, and HerbMentor, an online community that offered support, structured learning, and mentorship in herbal medicine. John had a unique ability to make complex botanical knowledge accessible, friendly, and deeply rooted in connection—with the earth, with tradition, and with one another. His work demystified herbalism, helping people reclaim it not as an elite science, but as a birthright.

Behind his bright smile and warm teaching voice, John also battled with profound internal struggles—challenges that he often shielded from view. His death, confirmed by his family as the result of ongoing stress and depression, has sparked renewed conversations about mental health, particularly within caregiving and healing professions.

In a statement shared with the LearningHerbs community, Kimberly Gallagher wrote:

“John gave so much of himself to the world. He taught with heart, created with passion, and built spaces where people felt safe, curious, and empowered. But like many who carry light for others, he also carried deep burdens. We are devastated by his passing, and we honor the beautiful legacy he leaves behind.”

John’s passing leaves a void not only in the field of herbalism but in the hearts of the thousands he taught, mentored, and inspired. Tributes have poured in from around the world—from herbal schools, clinical practitioners, folk healers, and everyday people who learned to make their first salve or identify a wild plant because of his encouragement.

Rosemary Gladstar, a renowned herbalist and author, described John as “a generous and bright soul who dedicated his life to reweaving humanity’s sacred relationship with plants.” She added, “John was the gentle bridge between old-world plant wisdom and the modern family kitchen. His work made herbalism not only more accessible, but more joyful.”

Beyond his professional legacy, John was deeply devoted to his family. He and Kimberly shared a loving marriage, and together they raised their children with values rooted in nature, connection, and creativity. Those who knew John personally speak of his kindness, humility, laughter, and his ever-present guitar, which often accompanied him during live classes or community gatherings.

In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, many in the wellness and herbalism communities are calling for increased awareness and open dialogue about the mental health pressures that educators, caregivers, and small business owners often carry silently. John’s story is a reminder that even those who seem to embody balance and peace may be struggling within, and that compassion must extend inward as well as outward.

To honor his memory, LearningHerbs has invited community members to share stories, photos, and reflections about John on a dedicated memorial page. A virtual candlelight ceremony is also being planned, where friends, colleagues, and students will gather to celebrate his life and mourn his passing together.

In lieu of flowers, the Gallagher family has requested donations to mental health organizations or scholarships supporting herbal education for underserved communities—two causes that John held close to his heart.

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Remembering John Gallagher:

•Educator. Innovator. Healer. Mentor. Father. Husband. Friend.

•A man who believed herbalism should be hands-on, joyful, and for everyone.

•A light gone too soon, whose roots will remain in the soil of every student he touched.

As we remember John Gallagher, may we also carry forward the essence of his teachings: that healing begins with connection—to nature, to each other, and to ourselves. And may we, like John, find the courage to keep walking gently on this Earth, guided by the wisdom of the plants and the love he so freely gave.

Rest in peace, John. You will not be forgotten.