Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.
Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION
Ardraka (Zingiber officinale) is ginger root containing gingerols and shogaols that inhibit cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways. Clinical trials demonstrate significant reductions in arthritis pain, blood glucose levels, and platelet aggregation through anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Origin & History
Ardraka refers to fresh ginger derived from Zingiber officinale, a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Zingiberaceae. The rhizome (underground stem) is harvested and used fresh or dried for medicinal preparations, with extraction methods including fresh juice preparation, decoction, paste formulation, and standardized extract production.
Research Narrative (Provisional)
Clinical evidence includes a double-blind trial published in Phytotherapy Research (2015) showing 200mg ginger extract twice daily reduced osteoarthritis knee pain by 40% over 16 weeks. Randomized trials demonstrate 2g daily ginger intake lowered fasting blood glucose by 12% in type 2 diabetics via AMPK activation. Note: The research dossier did not provide complete PubMed PMIDs or access to full meta-analyses.
Preparation & Dosage
Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.
Nutritional Profile
Fresh ginger root (per 100g): Carbohydrates 17.8g (primarily starch and sugars including sucrose, fructose, glucose), Dietary fiber 2g, Protein 1.8g, Fat 0.75g (including linolenic acid and medium-chain fatty acids), Water 78.9g. Calories: ~80 kcal. Key micronutrients: Potassium 415mg (9% DV), Magnesium 43mg (10% DV), Phosphorus 34mg (3% DV), Copper 0.226mg (25% DV), Manganese 0.229mg (10% DV), Vitamin B6 0.16mg (9% DV), Vitamin C 5mg (6% DV), Niacin 0.75mg. Primary bioactive compounds: Gingerols (dominant in fresh root; 6-gingerol is most abundant at approximately 0.5–2.5% dry weight, with 8-gingerol and 10-gingerol in smaller fractions), Shogaols (formed from gingerols upon drying/heating; 6-shogaol at ~0.5–1.0% in dried powder, approximately twice as potent as 6-gingerol in anti-inflammatory assays), Paradols (hydrogenated gingerols, present in trace amounts <0.1% dry weight), Zingerone (formed upon cooking, contributes pungency, present at ~0.1–0.3% in cooked/dried preparations), Zingiberene (primary volatile sesquiterpene in essential oil, comprising ~35% of essential oil fraction, responsible for aroma), Beta-bisabolene (~10–15% of essential oil), Camphene and geranial (minor essential oil components). Total essential oil content: 1–3% of dry weight. Oleoresins: 4–7.5% of dry weight. Bioavailability notes: 6-Gingerol undergoes rapid first-pass metabolism; bioavailability is enhanced when consumed with lipid-containing foods due to its lipophilic nature. Shogaols exhibit higher oral bioavailability than gingerols in animal models. Dried ginger (Shunthi) contains higher shogaol concentrations than fresh root due to dehydration-induced conversion. Piperine co-administration (as in some Ayurvedic formulations) may enhance gingerol absorption by inhibiting CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein efflux. Standardized extracts used in clinical trials typically contain 5% total gingerols by HPLC.
Reported Mechanism (Provisional)
Gingerols and shogaols inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) and 5-lipoxygenase enzymes, reducing prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4 production. These compounds also activate PPAR-gamma receptors and inhibit NF-kappaB signaling, improving insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Additionally, ginger constituents reduce thromboxane A2 synthesis, decreasing platelet aggregation and supporting cardiovascular health.
Clinical Narrative (Provisional)
A 16-week double-blind trial showed 40% reduction in osteoarthritis knee pain compared to placebo with moderate evidence quality. Randomized controlled trials in type 2 diabetics demonstrate 12% reduction in fasting blood glucose through improved insulin sensitivity mechanisms. Studies on cardiovascular effects show 10% decrease in platelet aggregation, though evidence strength varies across different cardiovascular outcomes. Most trials use standardized ginger extracts containing 5% gingerols at doses of 250-1000mg daily.
Also Known As
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