What is Kambo?
Kambo is an amphibious substance from an arboreal frog that lives in the rainforests of Peru and Brazil, the Phyllomedusa bicolor, which is also reffered to by the Matses tribe as Dow-kiet, as well as Bicolor treefrog, Giant leaf treefrog and Waxy Monkey treefrog. It’s skin developed serous glands that produce a secretion that protects against pathogens and predators, causing them injury or death if they attempted to eat the frog. The animals in the region learn to avoid it as a food, and the frog, in turn, is able to exist without having the behavior of being preyed upon. The secretion contains bioactive peptides which when applied to mammals, trigger the systems of the body to respond by purging toxins, parasites, and metabolic waste. This secretion can be considered in the way of being a supplement, an ally or a tool to support those who are clearing and healing themselves physically, and spiritually.
What does it help with?
It has been known to assist those working through anxiety, depression, migraines, colds and flus, Parkinsons, Alzheimers, autoimmune diseases, anemia, blood pressure issues, fertility issues, mold illness, acne, chronic pain issues, organ diseases, arthritis, anemia, various cancers, thyroid issues, malaria, Lyme, HIV, addiction interruption and sober maintenance. Working through these issues which manifest in the physical, affect our inner layers, the emotional and the spiritual. Clearing helps us come into alignment.
How is it administered?
The medicine is administered through the skin after quick burn marks (gates) have been placed and the blistered skin wiped away exposing the subcutaneous layer. The secretion is prepared by hydrating it and forming it into balls of paste-like consistency (points) which are then places on the gates. Before the ceremony, the person will have fasted for at least 6 hours and prior to placing the points, I ask that they drink 1.5 liters of water to assist in their getting well. I leave the medicine on until it subsides on it’s own unless it is requested to be taken off.
What can the experience feel like?
Kambo has been described as “ordeal” medicine. It forces a person to truly sit within their body and at times can feel intense in a way that is similar to a flu and fever. There may be a slight burning sensation from the points as they are placed on the gates. As the peptides enter the bloodstream, the person may experience a slight swelling of their lymph nodes and an elevation in body temperature. Their heart will begin to race. It is possible to feel a slight numbing in their fingers, toes, lips, and face. Sweating, fatigue and lightheadedness may also occur. After several minutes, there may be a pressure in the abdomen and an urge to get well through upper or lower purge. Nausea may come in waves and there will be a clean bucket provided to purge into. In the later part of the ceremony, a person may experience a sense of stillness and reflection. I invite them to sink into that feeling and rest as long as they need to.
Sometimes the sensation may feel too intense and a person might ask that some or all of the points be removed. The body will begin to normalize when the immune system is no longer being provoked. If the points are removed in the later part of the ceremony, it still may take a few minutes for the system to completely return to its original state and it is still possible to purge afterwards.
Contraindications
Kambo is not right for everybody. Those with serious heart problems, stroke, or brain hemorrhage, who’ve had an aneurysm or blood clots, have had an organ transplant, epilepsy, or seizures, are recovering from major surgery, who lack the mental capacity to make the decision to receive kambo, or who are pregnant and wish to remain pregnant as Kambo is a potential abortifacient, are not candidates to receive Kambo
