Martin wrote:ps natural source vitamin c - not the synthetic "chemists" version - around 12 grammes a day!(for an adult) - to "bowel tolerance level" - ie up the dose each day till you get the trots, then back off a bit! 8)
Horrors. There's no evidence that "natural source" vitamin C is any better for you. It's better absorbed, but if you're going to saturate yourself with it anyway it really doesn't matter. There is, however, evidence that high doses of vitamin C increases your risk of kidney stones and can cause depletion of vitamin B12, as well as causing complications for people with specific medical complaints. I wouldn't recommend the high dose vitamin C route, and I can't find any proof that it works in any case although it is promoted by people who sell it.
The honey thing is a good idea, and there's some anecdotal evidence that it works - but of course it's only any good for flower pollen allergies. Grasses and conifers etc aren't collected by bees.
Tinks, don't give up because your daughter doesn't like piriton. There are plenty of other brands of chlorphenamine (the active ingredient) syrup, try asking around. You can always mix it into yogurt, that usually masks the taste. You also have the option of nose sprays or eye drops if you're desperate enough.
Some common sense avoidance measures usually help quite a bit;
Keep an eye on pollen forecasts for your area (bbc.co.uk/weather has them for UK)
Don't be out at dawn or dusk when pollen levels are high
Wear sunglasses outside to reduce pollen impact on the eyes
Don't leave bedroom windows open, especially at night
Wear a hat or headscarf when outside
If you can identify which pollens are responsible, some homoeopaths will make a homoeopathic injection of it for you, but that's outside my experience. Good luck!
this obviously means it is a nightmare down at the allotment. anyway i thought i would pass on a tip that I have been told in case anyone else is suffering - apparently eating local honey builds up a tolerance to the pollen in the area as that is what the bees are feeding on! 
