This chat I just had with a friend is worth reposting:

"Making it today! Phoebe- can I use ground turmeric in a pinch? It’s the only root I don’t have on hand."

"I would say hell yes, but I would think it might be hard to strain later and make the tea a little gritty- why I used cinnamon sticks instead of powdered. So, I’d put the ground turmeric and anything else powdery into a cloth tea bag if you have it or be prepared to strain well later. Powder will sediment down to the bottom during simmering, too."