Turmeric is also more widely used as a colourant for textiles and food products. It is sometimes substituted for saffron as it is much less expensive, but produces the same yellow colour. Turmeric has also been used as an alternative to medicine and can be made into a drink to treat colds and stomach complaints. A regular intake of turmeric can be helpful in treating a patient afflicted with cystic fibrosis, a condition caused by faulty genes. 