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However, due to its popularity, basil is cultivated in many countries around the world. Production areas include countries in the Mediterranean area such as Greece, Italy and Morocco, as well as countries in the temperate zone such as Hungary, Poland and Germany, and finally, countries with warm climates such as India, Thailand and Haiti.

Medicinal Qualities
Basil has many versatile medicinal qualities and has been historically used by many countries to treat ailments. Examples of symptoms basil is used to treat include headaches, coughs, diarrhea, warts, worms, and kidney complications. In addition, basil can also be used as an antispasmodic, stomachicum, and antimalarial. Basil has also been incorporated in veterinary practices as well.

Basil also has a rich history in traditional medicinal applications. One can see the versatility of Basil by examining its historical uses throughout many different countries. For example, in traditional Chinese medicine, basil is predominantly used to treat gum ulcers, kidney problems and haemostyptic childbirth. Meanwhile, in India, Basil is used traditionally to treat ailments such as menstrual irregularities, arthritis, and malaria. Similarly, Basil is also used to treat malaria in Ethiopia as well as headache and diarrhea. In total, over 50 medicinal properties of basil has been identified.

In pharmacological applications, basil oil is particularly prized for its strong concentration in antioxidants. This quality makes basil oil anticancer, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties. Despite, the high concentration of antioxidants found in basil, it also contains estragole which is thought to be a carcinogen, and because of this uncertainty, basil consumption is not recommended for pregnant women in some countries (e.g. Germany).

Disease Prevention
Many basil products are used as prophylactic agents against serious diseases such as malaria and worms. Additionally it is also used as a measure to ward against gastritis disorders, conjunctivitis and night blindness. The urosolic acid in basil leaf paste is also used as a preventive measure against signs of aging such as loss of skin elasticity and wrinkles. Basil is also used in some places as a mosquito repellant; basil contains eugenol which has mosquito repelling properties. Furthermore, basil is also used to treat open wounds, cuts, and ulcers.

Cancer Prevention
Basil contains Vicenin and Orientin which are water-soluble flavonoids that protect the body from cancer on a cellular level. These two substances guard the cell structures and chromosomes from radiation and free radicals. Basil leaf alcoholic extracts have also been shown to prevent the occurrence of chemical carcinogenesis by stopping the metabolic activation of carcinogens.

Anti-Inflammatory
The presence of eugenol gives basil anti-inflammatory properties. Eugenol in basil extracts inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines like nitric oxide. It also prevents the cyclooxygenase enzyme from creating inflammation and asthma episodes.

Anti-diabetic Properties
Recently, basil was found to have anti-glycaemic properties. Various studies have shown that basil lowered the sugar level in diabetics; this includes lowered fasting glucose levels as well as lowered urine glucose levels. Additionally, it also helps in alleviating symptoms of diabetes such as retinopathy and cataracts.