HELEN Spath and her team at Tullivers' Health store, in Colliergate, York, advise on herbal remedies.

Q: I suffer terribly with streaming, puffy eyes during the hay fever period. Are there any natural remedies that might help?

A: Also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, hay fever is an allergic reaction to airborne substances such as pollen.

In the UK, grass pollen is the biggest trigger, which is why people tend to suffer mainly during the spring and summer months, when grasses and flowers come into bloom.

Pollen causes cells to release histamine and other chemicals, resulting in a runny, itchy nose, blocked sinuses, sneezing, redness and watering of the eyes.

Fortunately, help is at hand. The A.Vogel Luffa Complex, from Bioforce, is a combination of seven tropical plants known to prevent and alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.

In addition to its main ingredient, Luffa, which helps to combat sneezing, blocked and runny noses, it contains the Mexican plant galphimia glauca which is especially useful for reducing irritation of the eyes.

Luffa Complex tincture and tablets can be taken three times a day for a month before the hay fever season begins, or every two hours during an acute attack. The tablets are not suitable for people with milk-related allergies.

Another popular plant is the aptly named euphrasia or eyebright.

Native to Britain and Europe, it has been used as far back as the 17th century in connection with eye health and has proven particularly beneficial in reducing the inflammation and puffiness caused by hay fever.

Simply dilute 20 drops of Euphrasia tincture in a little water twice a day. This is an oral preparation which should be taken internally and not applied topically to the eyes.