What would you suggest in place of rue? Anything that reduces swelling?

Me, I would suggest going with just the Wheat Bran, cooked with a little water, since there are a bunch of different side effects for different herbs -- for instance, if one was trying to decrease milk flow, you might use sage, but sage should not be used if you're trying to increase or keep steady the milk flow. I think we're looking at an application of a warm poultice to reduce swelling; the alternative for engorgement would be the traditional cabbage leaf, which would be a cool poultice.

However, I can ask my apprentice what she would use, she's more of a hands-on herbalist than I and is training to be a lactation consultant.