Replied by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand)
There are many natural therapy that can reduce swelling, however they work differently. In even of emergency get a lavender oil and apply lightly to the face region and neck region. It will reduce the inflammation. Smelling camphor will also help. Eucalyptus oils are hard to predict, but it does help the sinus problem by killing the fungus in the sinus areas. If lavender oil is not available, then I would use peppermint applied to the face lightly and neck region it is anti inflammatory too.
In general alkalizing diets, in your case you seem to need more than most, so try a bit higher dose of 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid taken twice a day and add 1/2 glass of water on an empty stomach. This will help build the body's immune system against the infection.
Stay away from bread, sugar, milk, drinks and fried foods while the infection or swelling is at bay. A green tea is a possibility in reducing some swelling as it is diuretic, but weakly. If you are in a hurry to reduce the swelling this can be stopped within minutes based on my own experience, by just getting a diarrhea or a "pull edema" (as opposed to the currently popular "push edema" used by putting the water up against you!) The remedy is to take as prescribed per bottle Milk of Magnesia, which must contain only magnesium hydroxide and water. Peppermint oil added is o.k., but nothing else. There must be no aluminum in the ingredients as it is risky. Ted
