Every summer I suffer from hay fever, and I don't imagine this year will be any different. However, rather than wait for the symptoms to kick in, this time I thought I might try to prevent them from occurring in the first place. What preventative steps are there that I can take now, to lessen the severity of symptoms when they come?

The summer can be a miserable time for many of us and once symptoms have started they can be difficult to shift. The best approach is to build up your immunity beforehand so this is an ideal time to take some preventative steps.

One of the best ways to improve immunity and reduce allergies is to ensure the gut is functioning well. Many people who have hayfever also have underlying food allergies or sensitivities, often to dairy, which is very mucus-forming. It is worth replacing cow's milk with alternatives such as soya or oat milk etc. Hayfever sufferers often have an imbalanced gut flora, so try eating natural live sheep's yoghurt, or taking a probiotic such as Bio-Kult or Biocare's Bioacidophilus Forte, available from healthfood shops.

It is also important to boost antioxidants in the diet, especially Vitamin C, a natural antihistamine - so increase colourful fruit and vegetables such as berries, peppers, sweet potatoes, green leafy vegetables, and have a "rainbow" salad every day. Onions and garlic contain quercitin, another natural antihistamine. Avoid caffeine and sugary and refined foods which lower immune function, and opt for wholefoods instead. Nettle or elderflower tea is particularly helpful for reducing rhinitis symptoms. Some hayfever sufferers benefit from eating local unpasteurised honey, available from local beekeepers or farmers' markets.

Useful supplements include Aloe Vera juice, which helps to ease inflammation, and Bee Pollen, another rich source of quercitin. Rosewater Eyedrops or Nasya Nasal Oil can help to relieve sore itching eyes and congestion, all available from Xynergy Health Products www.xynergy.co.uk tel 08456 585858.

Homeopathy can really help both with the acute symptoms of hayfever and preventing it in the first place, but for best results should be treated by a professional homeopath - see the Society of Homeopaths www.homeopathy-soh.org for details of a homeopath near you.

Stella New RSHom is a registered homeopath and dietary therapist based in West Sussex. Prior to her training she spent many years as an expedition leader, taking groups into some of the most challenging parts of the world, where she was inspired by the use of natural remedies for treating all manner of ailments. Email stella@stellanew.co.uk