If you’re holding this chapter in your hands, I believe it’s not by accident.

You may be here

because you or someone you love is walking through sickness, asking tough questions, or
simply longing to feel whole again. I’ve been there myself. From the depths of Crohn’s disease
and cancer to the brink of giving up, I’ve experienced firsthand the heartbreak of chronic illness,
as well as the miracle of healing.

What I’m about to share with you in this chapter is one of the most important biblical health
revelations I’ve received in my lifetime, and perhaps of the greatest in thousands of years. It’s a
multi-thousand-year-old secret, hidden in plain sight, found right in the pages of Ezekiel 47:12
and Revelation 22:2: God designed the leaves of fruit-bearing trees to bring healing.

I’m not talking about trendy powders, imported miracle cures, or even roots and herbs. I’m
talking about the humble, often-overlooked leaves of common trees—usually raked into piles
or thrown away—that are actually packed with some of the most powerful healing compounds
on Earth.

In this chapter, I’ll introduce you to what I call Healing Leaves, a forgotten treasure of biblical
health that, believe it or not, may already be growing in your backyard. These leaves can naturally
help lower blood sugar, strengthen the immune system, and fight off bacteria, parasites, and
viruses. In fact, many fruit tree leaves contain more antioxidants and healing nutrients than the
fruits or vegetables themselves.

I’ll show you how to forage, grow, and prepare Healing Leaves at home, all for just pennies a
day. You’ll also get practical tips on how to choose the right leaves for your specific health goals,
how to brew them properly, and how to make them a simple, powerful part of your daily rhythm.

If you’re looking to steward your health in a more biblical, natural way, I pray that what you read
here stirs your spirit and equips you with practical tools that will help. You don’t need to have it
all figured out; you just need to take the next step toward healing. Let this be it.

With hope and healing,

Jordan Rubin
Founder of Garden of Life, Ancient Nutrition, and Beyond Organic
New York Times Best-Selling Author

HEALING LEAVES EXCERPT

 14
HEALING LEAVES
(Jordan)

I f you possessed a secret that could dr amatically

transform someone’s life for the better, would you share it? In this chap-
ter, I’m going to reveal what just might be the key to unlock God’s healing
power in your life. But "rst, some background. Not every great story is told
from the beginning; sometimes, you need to hear the middle "rst.
In August 2019, Nicki and I traveled to Kenya to visit a ministry founded
by Charles Mulli and his wife, Esther. An orphan turned multimillionaire,
Charles has dedicated the last thirty-"ve years of his life to serving over 27,000
orphans, sacri"cing his entrepreneurial wealth for a higher calling. He is now
the proud father of the world’s largest family. Charles and Esther’s ministry,
Mully Children’s Family, was doing exactly what Nicki and I had dreamed
of: caring for orphans, rescuing young women from tra&cking, growing their
own organic food, and planting millions of trees as part of a regenerative agri-
culture initiative. His inspiring mission ignited our decision to rally behind
him. On this trip, Nicki and I toured the ministry’s schools and children’s
homes across the country. It was life-changing, to put it mildly.
Months earlier, in what can only be de"ned as a God-ordained moment,
my wife met Rachel Ruto at a ministry conference in Dallas. At that time,

1 185
186 The Biblio Diet 2

Ruto was the Second Lady of Kenya, and today she serves as the First Lady.
!e two women had arranged to meet for tea at the State House, Kenya’s
equivalent of the American White House. At the last minute, there was a
venue change. Nicki and I met the Second Lady at a local church known as
Faith Evangelistic Ministries, where a leaders’ conference was taking place.
!e three of us talked of many things, such as our united passion for regener-
ative agriculture and faith. !e Second Lady had never heard my story about
healing from Crohn’s disease and cancer, so I shared it with her. She listened
with intensity and afterward, her voice low, she said, “!ere’s a boy here who
has just %own in from the Netherlands against his doctor’s wishes. He is dying
of bone cancer in his leg. Would you pray with him?” Of course I would.
When Second Lady Ruto stepped away, my heart sank. While helping
others "lls me with purpose, it also reminds me of the fractured world we
live in. Moments later, she returned with sixteen-year-old Jethro. Wisps of
hair clung to his translucent scalp as his weakened body swayed unsteadily
toward us. Jethro held out his hand, %anked by his parents, Hans and Raina.
!e color drained from my face. At six feet, two inches, Jethro stood on the
brink of manhood but carried the frailty of a child. Emaciated, he weighed
just over a hundred pounds. Flashing before my eyes was the image of me
standing in front of my mom when I had forced her to take a picture of
me in the depths of my battle with Crohn’s disease. I just knew that in the
absence of a miracle from God, Jethro wasn’t going to make it.
English was a challenge for Jethro, so I mainly talked with Hans, who
spoke the language well. I learned that months earlier Jethro had been diag-
nosed with osteosarcoma in his left leg. After sharing a brief glimpse into my
journey, I invited Jethro and his parents to pray together.
Just before I uttered the "rst word of my prayer, Jethro suddenly erupted
in tears. “God!” he cried out. A haunting desperation echoed sharply in
the stillness of the room. “Help me!” As someone who tends to o#er ver-
bose prayers, I was struck by the pure simplicity of Jethro’s three words. It
was the most heartfelt plea I had ever heard.
As I prayed the same prayer I had written out during my battle with can-
cer, my faith battled against my %esh. I tried hard to ignore the whispers of
3 Healing Leaves 187

doubt—!is is not going to go well. Jethro’s chances of survival are slim—reminding

myself that with God, nothing is impossible. Before Nicki and I left the church
for the airport for our %ight back home, I agreed to coach Jethro on his health
journey. I referred this precious family to my book !e Maker’s Diet, making
clear that following a new health protocol wasn’t a substitute for chemother-
apy or any other prescribed treatment. I knew well the resistance some of the
medical community has when it comes to trying natural alternatives to con-
ventional therapies. At the same time, I also know God can work miracles
using modern science and medicine or even provide instantaneous healing,
which was exactly what I prayed for. Whether Jethro’s parents chose a natural
or conventional route, or a combination of both, the decision was up to them.
We exchanged contact information and said goodbye.
Days later I received a WhatsApp message from Hans: “We just got the
book. Jethro would like to follow the diet. Where should we start?” I crafted
a personalized nutrition plan tailored to Jethro’s needs, incorporating princi-
ples from both the Maker’s Diet and what is now written in the Biblio Diet.
I cautioned Hans and Raina that some of the recommended items might not
be readily available in the Netherlands and suggested suitable alternatives to
ensure that Jethro could stay on track. Armed with a plan, this family began
to walk out what they believed would be Jethro’s healing story. I, 4,200-plus
miles away, committed to praying for Jethro and continuing to serve as his
long-distance health coach.
But something was missing.
I felt in my spirit that a nutrition and supplement plan fell short. !ere
was one more element I hesitated to recommend. !is approach was rela-
tively new. I had only told my wife about it, and as far as I knew, I was the
only one who was using it. Pushing through my internal resistance, I fol-
lowed the lead of the Holy Spirit. I called Hans back and said, “!ere’s one
more thing I want you to do for Jethro. It’s a tea-like beverage, a botanical
infusion I call Healing Leaves. It’s made with leaves from certain fruit trees.”
I paused brie%y. “I’m not sure you have access to fruit trees. !ey’re not read-
ily available for purchase as most people consider them to be insigni"cant at
best and garbage at worst.”
188 The Biblio Diet 4

Hans quickly interjected, “You’re not going to believe this, Jordan,

but my daughter works for a fruit company and has access to quite a few
orchards!”
My heart quickened. God’s hand was evident.
I’ll talk about the particulars of this infusion in a bit, but for now I want
you to keep reading about what Jethro did and what happened.
At one point, Hans told me they decided to quit chemotherapy. As
expected, Jethro’s oncologist didn’t respond kindly.
“Many people have come to me saying the same thing,” he warned. “!ey’ve
stopped treatment because they believed God was going to heal them.” After
a deep inhale, he continued. “Do you want to know where all those people are
right now?” Without giving this family a chance to reply, the doctor blurted,
“Dead! !ey’re all dead! Hans and Raina, you do this and you’re killing your
son!”
Nonetheless, Hans and his wife were adamant in believing in God for
healing on this side of heaven. !e oncologist ordered Jethro to undergo an
intense psychiatric evaluation to ensure that his decision to stop chemother-
apy was truly his own and not being made under pressure. Despite Jethro’s
decision to halt treatment, his oncologist committed to monitoring his prog-
ress with regular imaging.
For the next forty days, Jethro followed my recommendations in addition
to drinking a daily liter of an infusion of fruit tree leaves including straw-
berry, grape, blueberry, and apple. He also read aloud three times a day the
prayer I prayed during my own successful battle with cancer.
A few weeks into the new protocol, the "rst scan revealed an anticlimactic
reality: !e cancer hadn’t shrunk, but it hadn’t spread either. Yet by Decem-
ber, a glimmer of hope emerged. Jethro had gained a bit of weight and felt
stronger. He was optimistic for his next scan.
!e day after Christmas, Hans reached out with devastating news. “!e
cancer has spread.” A scan had shown that the disease had metastasized
throughout his son’s body, including the lymph nodes, lungs, and liver. A
lump formed in my throat, bursting my holiday spirit into a million pieces.
I got on my knees and prayed, “God, why did you have me help Jethro if he
5 Healing Leaves 189

was going to get worse and die?” And then, echoing Jethro’s initial plea, I
begged, “God, please help him!”
!e oncologist tried hard to persuade Jethro’s parents to resume treat-
ment, but Hans and Raina continued to believe in healing. !ey did agree,
however, that depending on the results of the next scan, which would hap-
pen in ten days, they would consider resuming chemo.
In the middle of January 2020, Hans texted me.

Dear Jordan, I trust all is well$.$.$. Praise God, we received very good news
today$.$.$. all the scans show that the cancer shows no activity. All the signals
that came up last time disappeared again. !e doctors were very surprised and
said that a case like this they haven’t seen before. Jethro is very happy, and we
all are relieved. We praise the Lord for all He has done so far, knowing that
what He started He will "nish. What a great God we serve!

Jethro was o&cially cancer-free! However, the journey wasn’t over yet.
A benign tumor remained, threatening to weaken his leg and necessitating
surgery. Not only was the surgery a success, but the tumor, once the size
of a baseball, upon operating had decreased to the size of a thumbnail.
Today, Jethro remains cancer-free and thriving. No longer the frail boy
that once stood before Nicki and me, Jethro now stands triumphant, six
feet, four inches tall (you read that right!), and weighs over two hundred
pounds.
Recently, I revisited the photos I had asked Hans to capture of his son’s
journey, reminiscent of my own. In the "rst image, Jethro mirrored the
walking dead, a sharp contrast to the radiant smile he wears today. Truly,
God is good!
You’re probably wondering what exactly a Healing Leaves infusion is? I
am so excited to introduce to you this natural, biblically based miracle that
I believe God has designed for us to consume to maintain good health and
"ght disease.
Before we dive in, I want to clarify something I shared with Jethro and his
family: What I’m about to present is not advice to abandon any treatment
190 The Biblio Diet 6

prescribed by your doctor. If you’re facing cancer or any other serious illness,
it’s essential to pray and seek guidance from your doctors and, more impor-
tantly, the Holy Spirit on your journey. Meanwhile, consider exploring an
approach that God Himself refers to as healing— one that comes at very
little or no cost to you.
Here’s how it all started.

HOW I DISCOVERED HEALING LEAVES

In December 2018, my wife told me something that blew me away. Six
months prior, she had received a vision from God about me "nding a cure for
cancer. While a message of that magnitude is astonishing to hear, my initial
response fell rather %at. Let me explain. As you now know, for decades, I’ve
been deeply immersed in studying natural ways to wage war against cancer
and other illnesses. I’ve penned several books on natural health, including
!e Great Physician’s Prescription for Cancer back in 2007. I’ve even expe-
rienced God’s miraculous healing from this relentless disease "rsthand. So
why wasn’t I jumping for joy at this news?
What bothered me was the thought that this “cure” might be something
that could be created in a lab as a medicine but would not be a#ordable or
available to most of the world. Was this divine prompting pointing toward
an herb found in the rain forest that would be rare and expensive?
Fast-forward to April 2019. I was in my prayer closet (actually, a prayer
sauna) listening to a Bible app when I came upon a passage in Ezekiel that
I’d read hundreds of times, not only in the Bible, but in a plethora of natural
health books.

Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their
leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will
bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them.
Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing” (Eze-
kiel 47:12).
7 Healing Leaves 191

Upon hearing this verse, I heard God say, “!is is it!” And I knew exactly
what He meant.
A little background behind this scripture. !e prophet Ezekiel lived
through a catastrophic era in ancient Israel. !e sacred temple in Jerusalem
had been destroyed. !e nation was divided. Some of God’s people, includ-
ing Ezekiel, were exiled to Babylon while the remaining Israelites languished
amid the ruins of their once-thriving city. !e future for both the prophet
and the nation was grim. Ezekiel 47 records part of a series of visions that
God gave the prophet of a new temple and a new city. In it, he views a glo-
rious city in which water %ows from under the entrance of a temple, start-
ing as a trickle and increasing in depth. !is vision depicts the beauty of
paradise designed by God, inspiring the nation of Israel with the promise
that, through God’s sovereignty, everything lost will one day be restored and
thrive again. One of the rising stars of this vision? Fruit trees!
Read the last sentence of this verse again: “!eir fruit will serve for food
and their leaves for healing” (Ezekiel 47:12). Over the years, I’d heard many
natural health experts refer to this verse as a call to embrace common herbs
and spices like parsley and oregano, but as I reread it in my prayer sauna, a
life-changing revelation was unveiled. !is verse is not about garden herbs
and medicinal spices. !is is pointing to leaves from fruit-bearing trees.
!is is God’s answer for cancer! !is message is relevant now, at a time
when cancer is robbing years from our lives and taking so many of our
loved ones prematurely. Most people in the United States have been neg-
atively impacted by this dreaded disease, whether personally experiencing
its devastating e#ects or watching a family member or friend grapple in its
relentless grip.
“!is is it,” God had whispered. I couldn’t fully grasp the weight of those
words, but they stirred something deep within me. !is really is God’s
answer for cancer! In that moment, my purpose in life crystallized. !is may
surprise some of you. I had been passionate about natural health and heal-
ing for decades; I have coached hundreds of people on their journey toward
health recovery. I had spoken to millions through books, TV programs,
192 The Biblio Diet 8

articles, seminars, and podcasts. Yet this revelation felt di#erent. It ignited a
"re in my soul, a clarity I had never experienced before.
And so began my journey into the world of healing through fruit tree
leaves as God had spoken to the prophet Ezekiel in the Bible.
Unsurprisingly, this part of trees was one of the least popular and
researched. When most people think of leaves, they picture endless fall after-
noons spent raking piles in the yard. Even most farmers consider leaves to
be agricultural waste. When autumn arrives and local farms open for apple
picking, it’s safe to say you won’t "nd anyone "lling their baskets with apple
tree leaves instead of the plump, juicy apples hanging from the branches.
I immersed myself in this passage and how trees are represented in the
Bible. At the start, I read Ezekiel 47:12 in every translation of the Bible. !ey
all revealed the same message: !e leaves of fruit trees are for healing, med-
icine, or curing disease. Interestingly, trees are the second most mentioned
living things in the Bible, following human beings. According to the Bible
Project, trees play a prominent role in scripture, highlighted through refer-
ences to their branches, leaves, roots, vines, fruits, and speci"c types such as
oak, olive, and sycamore trees.1 When God created trees on the third day, they
were not just lifeless objects; they were given purpose. !ey helped sustain
Adam and Eve (see Genesis 1:29) and provided food (verse 16). Moreover,
scripture tells us that trees do more than ground themselves in the earth: !ey
sing (1 Chronicles 16:33), clap their hands (Isaiah 55:12), and even squab-
ble (Judges 9:7). Trees are full of life! I continued my research into ancient
Hebraic texts and other Judeo-Christian writings to uncover insights about
the bene"ts of consuming tree leaves. Surprisingly, in thousands of years of
recorded biblical commentary, I found nothing related to the physical bene"ts
of the leaves of fruit trees.
A couple of months after the Ezekiel revelation, I read Revelation 22:2:
“On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit,
yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the heal-
ing of the nations.” Everything clicked. It only makes sense that the leaves
contain polyphenols and other active compounds that promote longevity
and the health of the body and mind. At that point, I felt inspired to collect
9 Healing Leaves 193

and combine twelve di#erent fruit tree leaves into an infusion that I believed
could harness powerful healing potential. You’ll "nd this recipe toward the
end of this chapter.
I made my "rst phone call to a mango orchard in Florida and asked what
the farmers did with the leaves. !eir response echoed what I heard later
from local farms, global orchards, and grocery stores: “We compost them
or throw them out!” I asked if I could have some. I made the same inquiry
of many more orchards, vineyards, and farms, near and far. Remember the
fruit trees I planted in Chapter 10? Now you understand the impetus behind
planting so many fruit trees! In our own greenhouses, I now had instant
access to leaves from 160 di#erent varieties of fruit trees from around the
world.
As I meditated on the incredible healing gifts that God provides in nature,
I remembered my earlier question as to the accessibility of a cure for cancer
and other ailments. God, by design, o#ers His medicinal gifts to all, not just
to the people who have health insurance, live on a Western continent, or
can a#ord them. It’s fascinating to observe that some of the poorest nations,
which often preserve their natural landscapes and trees because of less build-
ing of infrastructure and less industry, actually have more access to healing
resources such as fruit tree leaves than we do in more developed areas.
Once I concocted my "rst infusion using fruit tree leaves from around
the world (including soursop, mango, avocado, raspberry, and blueberry), I
started drinking a liter every day. Over time, I’ve tinkered with the strength
of the recipe as well as using multiple varieties of leaves. When I started,
even though I was enjoying great health overall, I had a few pesky little
problems that wouldn’t let me be. One of the most annoying? Styes in my
eye, a nuisance since I was thirteen years old. It was like clockwork. Every
few days to a week, without fail, a new stye would pop up, sticking around
for a few days or even weeks. And just when I thought I was in the clear,
another one would come along to take its place. I even had surgery at one
point to try to remedy the issue (it didn’t work). A few weeks after regularly
consuming the Healing Leaves infusion, I realized I hadn’t been bugged by
a stye. I’ve not been plagued by styes since.
194 The Biblio Diet 10

Over the years I’ve recommended Healing Leaves to many people who
have approached me for health advice. Ranging in age from twenty-eight
to eighty and experiencing illnesses including cancer, severe skin con-
ditions, diabetes, and intestinal parasites, all showed some measure of
improvement. Some underwent total healing, others a markedly better
quality of life. !ose under a doctor’s care continued following their pre-
scribed medical protocol while they consumed the Healing Leaves infu-
sion. Now let’s dig deeper into the science. Keep reading to "nd out what
makes God’s design of fruit tree leaves a solution for the health problems
plaguing millions of people worldwide and what I call the Bible’s best-kept
health secret hidden in plain sight.

BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN LEAVES

!e health bene"ts of fruit tree leaves may be the best-kept secret that most
people have never heard of. Studies have shown that these green crowns
actually have more bioactive and nutritional compounds than their fruit
counterparts.2 Award-winning author, Yale University lecturer, and agro-
forestry expert Eric Toensmeier highlighted this fact in an interview: “As a
group, trees with edible leaves have the highest concentrations of the nutri-
ents that billions of people are missing in their diets, in both the Global
North and South.”3
Centuries before modern science validated it, Native American and Chi-
nese medicine had already recognized and embraced the healing properties
of leaves. Extracts of leaves from trees such as Passi#ora (passion fruit), rasp-
berry, and mulberry have been and still are used in these cultures to treat
digestive disorders, heart conditions, migraines, and a slew of other medical
conditions.4
It’s crazy to imagine that what many farmers consider agricultural waste
holds healing properties. But is it really that crazy? When viewed through
a biblical lens, one can discover remarkable potential in what is often dis-
missed as waste. You might even consider God to be the original Recycler.
Whether it’s the story of the Apostle Paul, a murderer and persecutor of
11 Healing Leaves 195

Christians turned author of most of the New Testament, or the miracle of

Jesus feeding a massive crowd of "ve thousand-plus with food scraps, the
Bible illustrates that nothing is truly wasted in God’s economy. !e Good
Book is "lled with themes of new beginnings and second chances and stories
of how He brings forth beauty and miracles in the most unexpected places.
In the words of the Apostle Paul, “But God chose the foolish things of
the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to
shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised
things— and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that
no one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1:27–29).
!ere is no doubt that God is in the business of redemptive recycling.
It’s only been in the past few years, as of the writing of this book, that
the scienti"c world has become more interested in what’s inside plant leaves
than ever before. As one scientist put it, “Till now, the use of leaves from
fruit trees have not generally received much attention as the sources of anti-
oxidants and this could have happened due to their lack of popularity and
lack of commercial applications.”5
Research has proven that the leaves of fruit trees contain biologically
active phytonutrients (bene"cial nutrient-like plant compounds) such as %a-
vonoids and polyphenols that hold antioxidant, anti-allergic, antibacterial,
antiviral, and anti-in%ammatory properties, and even anti-tumor e#ects.6
!ese words should be familiar to you after reading Chapter 10.
Check out a few examples of leaves and the healing bene"ts they can
o#er:

• Mulberry leaves have antibacterial and antioxidant properties,

lower blood sugar, and possibly produce anti-cancer e#ects.7
• Kiwi leaves showcase antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.8
• Ka%r lime leaves, used in traditional !ai medicine for a healthy
mouth, contain anti-in%ammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant
activities.9
• Grape leaves, shown to provide ten times as much antioxidant
ability than juice and pulp, are anti-aging champions.10
196 The Biblio Diet 12

• Guava leaves are packed with antioxidants, minerals, and vita-

mins and can bene"t people with digestive issues and diabetes.
!ey may also lessen the risk of cellular damage that can lead to
cancer.11
• Moringa leaves are a significant source of antioxidants and
anti-in%ammatory compounds, which may contain antidiabetic
and anti-cancer properties.12
• Fig leaves have antibacterial properties,13 help with blood sugar
regulation,14 and help lower triglyceride levels, which decreases
the risk for heart disease and obesity.15

!ere are tens of thousands of active compounds, and many more to be

discovered, across various species of fruit trees. !ey di#er in chemical struc-
ture, role, and health bene"ts, but all help to do the same thing: promote a
long and healthy life.
Consider that you’re about to learn a crash course on the healing prop-
erties of leaves. We’ll start by homing in on three phytonutrient classes of
compounds:

• Terpenes: Not only are they tasked with the pigment, %avor, and
smell of a plant, terpenes o#er many medicinal bene"ts because
of their antiviral, anti-cancer, and antidiabetic properties.16
• Polyphenols: Polyphenols are a broad class of compounds known
for promoting mitochondrial health (cellular health), supplying
protection against diabetes, neurodegenerative disease, cardiovas-
cular disease, and the development of cancers.17 Human biologist
and longevity expert Gary Brecka is a strong advocate for these
plant-based compounds and recommends them as the ultimate
hack for boosting brain function and gut health. In his words,
“Polyphenols modulate neuroin%ammation, one of the leading
causes of mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and
even Alzheimer’s disease. !ese compounds create a protective
barrier against brain fog, mood swings, and long term cognitive
13 Healing Leaves 197

decline.$.$.$. Studies have shown that polyphenol rich diets help

support gut barrier integrity.$.$.$. So this makes polyphenols not
just a tool for digestive health, but also a proactive measure to
combat systemic inflammation and prevent chronic health
issues.”18
• Flavonoids: Flavonoids are a subclass of polyphenols with a range
of biological e#ects including antioxidant, anti-in%ammatory, anti-
microbial, anti-ulcer, anti-obesity, and anti-cancer properties.19,20

Within these groups and others lie thousands of phytonutrients that help
to individually drive these health bene"ts. !ese include the following:

Quercetin Ellagic acid Resveratrol

Mangiferin Chlorogenic aid Naringenin
Rutin Ca#eic acid Hespertitin
Gallic acid Anthocyanin Oleuropein
Hydroxytyrosol EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate)

Take some time to dig into these phytonutrients, but here’s a sampling
from two of the most powerful: quercetin and ellagic acid.
Quercetin. Have you ever wondered what makes a “superfood” super?
!e answer is quercetin, a natural compound tied to what all of us seek:
to live long and well. Containing antiviral, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and
anti-in%ammatory properties, quercetin reduces in%ammation, "ghts aller-
gies, supports heart health, combats pain, protects skin and liver health,
and even "ghts cancer.21 Metabolic diseases (such as diabetes and hypothy-
roidism) and in%ammatory diseases (such as Crohn’s, asthma, and lupus)
don’t stand a chance against this %avonoid.22 Looking to protect your brain?
Quercetin can help by suppressing in%ammatory pathways.23 You can "nd
quercetin in fruit tree leaves from grapes, cherries, berries, citrus fruits,
apples, and oak. Yes, you read correctly. Oak is technically a fruit tree, with
acorn as its fruit. Quercetin is found in oak tree leaves and derives its name
from the scienti"c (genus) name of oak, which is Quercus.
198 The Biblio Diet 14

Ellagic acid. Possessing impressive antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, and

anti- cancer properties, ellagic acid is one of the most formidable plant
chemicals you’ll "nd.24 Research to date suggests that the consumption
of this plant compound may not only lower in%ammation and "ght o#
cancer but also reduce obesity and reduce complications related to obesity,
including atherosclerosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, insulin resis-
tance, and type 2 diabetes.25 A research study published in the Interna-
tional Journal of Molecular Sciences "nds that berries rich in ellagic acid
were able to protect against oxidative stress and reduce DNA damage in
the livers of animal subjects.26 If that weren’t enough, this phytonutrient
holds great promise in treating Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative
diseases.27 Is there anything ellagic acid can’t do? !e following fruit tree
leaves are key sources of this potent disease "ghter: pomegranate, black-
berry, raspberry, strawberry, and walnut.
Are you convinced yet of God’s secret to great health?

TOP FIVE FRUIT TREE LEAVES

Since being introduced to Healing Leaves six and a half years ago, I’ve
researched, planted, and consumed thousands of tree leaves, from tropical
fruit-bearing trees (soursop, pineapple, and jackfruit) to citrus fruits (orange,
lemon, and lime) to berries (cranberry, blackberry, and huckleberry) to
exotic fruits (ackee, tamarind, and salak) to nut-bearing (almond, hazelnut,
oak, and Inca peanuts) to trees that o#er multiple uses (ginkgo, baobab, and
saw palmetto).
I’d like to highlight "ve of my favorites.
Mango. For centuries, the leaves of this delicious tropical fruit have
played a starring role in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine to treat
health issues such as diabetes.28 Rich in bene"cial plant compounds such
as polyphenols and terpenoids, mango leaves o#er a range of antioxidant
and anti-in%ammatory properties. Key bene"ts encompass possible improve-
ments in vision and immune health and safeguarding against diseases such
as heart disease. Mangiferin, a prominent polyphenol in mango leaves
15 Healing Leaves 199

mentioned earlier, has been studied for its anti-in%ammatory, antimicrobial,

and anti-cancer e#ects.29,30 Got diarrhea? Mango leaves can help.31
Olive. !e olive leaf was "rst used medicinally in ancient Egypt,
where it served as a symbol of heavenly power. Since then, olive leaves
have been used therapeutically in the human diet as an extract, herbal
tea, and powder. Olive leaves contain many bioactive compounds that
have antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-in%ammatory, and hypoglyce-
mic properties— similar to the well-known olive oil bene"ts that we’ve
covered in this book.32 Get this: Research has even shown that olive leaf
extract has more polyphenol power than EVOO.33 What are olive leaves
good for? What are they not good for? !ey reduce in%ammation, increase
immunity, "ght infections, and promote cardiovascular health. !ey can
also be used topically to "ght skin issues and orally to build healthy teeth
and gums.34,35 Olive leaves may help reduce the risk of cancer because of
their ability to stop the angiogenic process, which stimulates the growth
of tumors.36 A study conducted in Greece showed, for the "rst time, that
olive leaf extracts have strong antioxidant potency and inhibit cancer and
endothelial cell reproduction, slowing the growth of cells associated with
breast cancer, bladder cancer, and brain cancer.37 Leaves from Greece were
especially high in antioxidants and better at "ghting melanoma cells.38
Researchers noted that because of its high antioxidant levels, olive leaf
could impact “the healthcare system.”39
Soursop. Used for digestive and gastrointestinal issues, in%ammation,
hypertension, and pain, the leaves from this fruit tree are popular in tra-
ditional herbal medicine.40 Studies show they contain certain compounds
that are toxic to cancer and tumor cells and therefore hold promise for
anti- cancer bene"ts.41 In one study, patients with colorectal cancer were
given a 300-milligram dose of soursop leaf extract, which helped slow the
growth of cancer cells.42 Of course, there’s more! Headaches, cystitis, and
insomnia can all be treated with soursop leaves.43
Raspberry. Research shows that raspberry leaves are packed with more
bene"cial nutrients than the fruit itself. For instance, the leaves have up
to "ve times as many polyphenols and a hundred times more carotenoids,
 200 The Biblio Diet 16

which are powerful antioxidants.44 Raspberries are gaining fame as a giant

of health-enhancing nutrients. !ey are rich in antioxidants, help reduce
in%ammation, "ght bacteria, and may help prevent cancer. !ese berries
create magic by balancing blood fats and shielding your heart from disease.45
Due to high levels of ellagic acid and %avonoids, extracts from raspberry
leaves have been found to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, "ght o#
bacteria, and thin the blood to reduce the risk of clotting.46
Avocado. High in quercetin, avocado leaves work wonders for improving
heart health and reducing in%ammation as well as regulating blood pres-
sure.47 A review of nine articles showed that avocado leaves held great poten-
tial as an antidiabetic treatment.48 One study identi"ed at least thirty-seven
bioactive compounds (mostly %avonoids and phenolic acids), many of which
inhibit key enzymes connected with Alzheimer’s disease.49
Recent scienti"c studies show that the leaves of fruit trees can be con-
sidered a north star to heal a multitude of illnesses such as cancer, heart
disease, and diabetes and support longevity by protecting brain health. To
learn more about Healing Leaves, visit !eBiblioDiet.com.

Conditions and Diseases Positively Impacted by

the Consumption of Fruit Tree Leaves

Cancer Longevity­ Weight loss Diabetes Memory­ Cognitive

issues impairment
Depression Alzheimer’s Dementia Hyperlipid- Fungal­ Bacterial
emia­(high­ Infections­ Infections­
cholesterol) (systemic) (systemic)
Viral­ Parasitic­ Diarrhea Constipation Acne Eczema
Infections­ Infections­
(systemic) (systemic)
Psoriasis Ulcers Kidney High blood Cardio- Back­pain
stones pressure vascular
disease
 17 Healing Leaves 201

Epilepsy Asthma and Headache Arthritis Depression Autoimmune

allergies disease
Cough Cold/flu Inflamma- Menopause­ PMS Gout
tion systems
Nausea Insomnia Anemia Prostatitis Cystitis Gum disease
Sports­per- Sports­
formance recovery

THE BASICS

!ere is so much more I could cover, but this chapter would never end! As
you absorb this message, let’s address a few lingering questions you may
have:
1. Where do I get fruit tree leaves?

• Try local farms and orchards. Some farmers will be willing to

sell or give away fruit tree leaves alongside their produce. You
may be able to gather leaves from orchards that allow you to pick
your own fruit. Even leaves from common oak and pine trees are
bene"cial!
• International grocery stores may carry exotic fruit tree leaves like
moringa, guava, or papaya.
• Many natural health food stores carry dried leaves from fruit
trees commonly used in herbal remedies.
• Online retailers such as Amazon, Etsy, and specialty herbal shops
o#er a variety of dried or fresh fruit tree leaves. Make sure the
leaves are organic or unsprayed and come from a reputable seller.
• Try growing your own fruit trees.
• Join a local community garden or permaculture group.
• Try foraging. Check out your local parks or rural areas in which
fruit trees grow.
202 The Biblio Diet 18

Ensure that you properly identify the tree and con"rm that the leaves are
safe for consumption. !ere are “herb "nder” apps for your smartphone that
can be helpful.
2. How many leaves should I use? Ideally, you can collect a handful of
leaves from twelve di#erent species of trees. Since each plant o#ers speci"c
bene"ts, accessing a range of qualities is most bene"cial.
3. !en what? Here’s what you’ve all been waiting for— the recipe for
Healing Leaves:

HEALING LEAVES TEA/INFUSION

Fill­a­large­pot­with­21⁄2­quarts­of­pure­water.­Add­3­table-
spoons­fresh­chopped­leaves­or­1­tablespoon­dried­leaves­
(break­ leaves­ into­ small­ pieces)­ from­ each­ of­ the­ twelve­
trees­to­the­pot­of­water.­Bring­to­a­boil­and­simmer­for­12­
minutes. Remove from the heat and cover for 20 minutes.
Strain­into­a­large­bowl.­Pour­into­two­1-­quart­jars.­I­recom-
mend­making­six­to­eight­batches­at­a­time.­It’s­best­to­con-
sume­16–­32­ounces­per­day.­Consume­the­infusion­warm,­at­
room­temperature,­or­cold.­You­may­add­a­small­amount­of­
honey,­maple­syrup,­stevia,­or­monkfruit­to­sweeten.
You­ may­ reuse­ the­ leaves­ from­ the­ previous­ batch­ and­
add­additional­leaves­per­the­instructions­if­you­make­sev-
eral batches in one day.

ST
Our story as humans begins in the "rst garden with a tree. !e tree of life
was created to give humankind eternal life with God, but sin destroyed
this bond and caused Adam and Eve to be banished from the Garden. !e
 19 Healing Leaves 203

redemption piece of our story picks up in the form of the ultimate sacri"ce
on a tree, commonly referred to as a cross. Jesus died and shed His blood for
our sins, reconciling us back in relationship to our Father in heaven.
Trees symbolize humankind’s redemptive journey. And according to the
Bible, they also o#er a path to the redemption of our health. Why wouldn’t
you try this biblical secret that’s been hidden in plain sight all along?

TAKE ACTION NOW

• Go back to the section on The Basics that you just read,

collect some leaves, prepare your own Healing Leaves
infusion, and enjoy the most important remedy the Bible
has to offer.

References
Disclaimer

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended
to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a
personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their
doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither
Jordan Rubin nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible
health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information
in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking
prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before
beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
 Ready to eat and live
God’s way—without the
guesswork?
My new groundbreaking book, The Biblio Diet: Live Long, Master Metabolism,
Reduce Pain, Fight Depression, and Conquer Cancer with Healing Secrets From
the Bible, is available for pre-order at www.TheBiblioDiet.com.

Based on the ancient wisdom of the Bible and confirmed by modern science, I
want to invite you to experience a breakthrough in the health of your entire family
by learning to eat and live God’s way.

I’m super excited to share The Biblio Diet with you. Thank you for your support.

HEALING LEAVES EXCERPT

 References
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HEALING LEAVES EXCERPT

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HEALING LEAVES EXCERPT