There is nothing as rewarding and as exhilarating as being a parent. However parenthood is not without its own set of stress levels, disappointments and heartbreaks. Perhaps nothing puts parents to the test as much as a sick child can. Colic, dry coughs, rashes, fever - the ailments are as myriad as the personalities of our children.It is very difficult to watch a child suffer. It is also very easy to walk to the medicine cabinet and whip out a concoction of medicines that we hope will 'do the trick'. Mostly it doesn't and it is time again for the omnipresent visit to the paediatrician. These visits more often than not culminate in antibiotics for simple illnesses that could be nipped in the bud.One of the fundamental reasons why children fall ill so often is due to a poor immune system. An immune system is nourished and nurtured through proper and healthy nutrition and a clean environment. Unfortunately, today's kids are exposed to too many unhealthy alternatives to satisfy their growing needs. Gone are the days when kids played in clean air, sunny green fields and ate fresh organic food. Now a child's immune system has to battle with a city's polluted air, genetically manipulated fruit and vegetables and pesticide or hormone infected fast foods. It is a well known fact that something as common as a bottle of sugared water or soda can bring the body's immunity down considerably. Is it a mystery then that half your child's classmates seem to be down with throat infections at the same time?While medicines are imperative in some cases, there are old home remedies and herbal alternatives that help to provide relief. These are harmless and can easily be created in your kitchen. It is our endeavour in this book to provide you with information on knowing how an illness happens and what everyday measures can be taken to prevent it, guard against it and treat it simply. We explain how to boost your child's immunity.In the beginning of the book we have included a section titled, 'Some Simple Procedures used in Home Remedies'. This section explains in detail how to go about preparing certain common infusions / pastes / oils. It also outlines simple exercises that go a long way in strengthening your body's immunity and enhancing the recovery process. These procedures and exercises are recommended repeatedly in the book though the ingredients may differ from illness to illness. You can treat this section almost as a ready reckoner.You will find the methods easy and the ingredients accessible. There are no side effects and no harmful chemicals. These are not a substitute for a physician's medicine but give an understanding of the illness and an action plan for its improvement. Allow these remedies to creep into your medicine cabinet. Perhaps you will not need those bottles anymore.