tumeric is an indian spice - yellow stuff they use in a lot of dishes and in curries. the reason you want tumeric: it's a source of curcumin. this is the stuff that is known for its antitumor, antioxidant, antiarthritic, anti-ischemic and anti-inflammatory properties.
you buy tumeric in powder form at an indian food market and then add it to pretty much everything. it's fragrant, not too flavorful. add it to rice (makes it yellow), fruit smoothies (makes those yellow too), and anydamnthing else.
sidenotes: indians (from india) have a lower incidence of cancer overall, they think it is tied to diet (tumeric). same goes for koreans (pickled cabbage).
nom.
Tumeric is awesome. On persian (jasmine) rice and stuff they use hella butter and tumeric. Makes it great.