We personal use this herb in the season and pill form. It has reduced the Inflammation and pain in my knee from Total Knee Replacement. Also, joint pain in my husband knee. It is a true miracle found in the garden of our creators earth. Sharon

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. India, a significant producer of turmeric “Tu-mer-ic”, has regional names based on language and state.

Turmeric powder is used extensively in South Asian cuisine. When not used fresh, the rhizomes are boiled for about 30–45 minutes and then dried in hot ovens, after which they are ground into a deep-orange-yellow powder[5] commonly used as a spice in Bangladeshi cuisine, Indian cuisine, Pakistani cuisine and curries, for dyeing, and to impart color to mustard condiments. One active ingredient is curcumin, which has a distinctly earthy, slightly bitter, slightly hot peppery flavor and a mustardy smell. 

Inflorescence, flower, and fruit. Turmeric in the bush near Cooktown, Queensland, Australia. Although typically used in its dried, powdered form, turmeric is also used fresh, like ginger. It has numerous uses in East Asian recipes, such as pickle that contains large chunks of soft turmeric, made from fresh turmeric. In India and Nepal, turmeric is widely grown and extensively used in many vegetable and meat dishes for its color; it is also used for its supposed value in traditional medicine. In South Africa, turmeric is used to give boiled white rice a golden color. In Vietnamese cuisine, turmeric powder is used to color and enhance the flavors of certain dishes, such as bánh xèo, bánh khọt, and mi quang. The powder is used in many other Vietnamese stir-fried and soup dishes.

Traditional uses and Research 

In Ayurvedic practices, turmeric has been used to treat a variety of internal disorders, such as indigestion, throat infections, common colds or liver ailments, as well as topically to cleanse wounds or treat skin sores. Turmeric is under study for its potential to affect human diseases, including kidney and cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, cancer, irritable bowel disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and other clinical disorders. Studies show it may help with many ailments, including support for lower back pain, muscle pain relief, knee pain relief, joint pain, and arthritis pain relief. Joint supplements are found everywhere, but if you have been looking for a NATURAL PAIN RELIEVER and a NATURAL INFLAMMATORY.

sources: Wikipedia and Amazon