Double polished turmeric is a powder that comes from the rhizomes of turmeric plants. The rhizomes are boiled in water and dried, and then ground into an orange-yellow powder. Turmeric has many uses, including as a spice, food, cosmetic, and medicine. It's a staple in Middle Eastern and South Asian cooking, and gives curries their yellow color and flavor. It's also used as a coloring agent in cheese, butter, and other foods. Double polished turmeric contains curcumin, a chemical that might reduce swelling. It has a warm, bitter taste. Double polished turmeric can be used in medicinal oils, poultices, tonics, blood purifiers, and carminatives. It's also used as a painkiller and carminative.