Turmeric is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae or the ginger family. The tuberous rhizomes or underground stems have been used since ancient times as a condiment, atextile dye, and as Turmeric is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae or the ginger family. The tuberous rhizomes or underground stems have been used since ancient times as a condiment, atextile dye, and as medicine.