i love curry spices ~:)
I'd imagine the root form is much stronger than the powder that is available in supermarkets, but i have had some success using this spice for sleep and dream work.

my best friends parents are into holistic and ayurvedic healing and i learned the following sleeping potion from them:
-A mug of warm milk
-a heaping teaspoon of tumeric (or as much as you can stand)
-grated fresh ginger
-honey to taste

tumeric has a bit of a metallic taste and i've found it's best to add it slowly, while tasting.
best of luck