What is Kambo …

Kambo, otherwise known as “Sapo” is the secretion from a large tree frog (Phylomedusa Bicolour) that resides in the upper regions of the Amazon rainforest basin. This secretion is ethically harvested by native tribes and shipped to trained practitioners around the globe.

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Known as the rainforest’s natural vaccine, Kambo has a huge amounts of physical, mental & spiritual benefits. It is one of the world’s most effective and natural antibiotics and immune system boosters, it detoxifies the liver, kidneys, small and large intestines. The indigenous people have one word for terms like “depression” and “anxiety” (negative energies) which is “Panema”. They believe by receiving Kambo this removes and shifts Panema and dissolves emotional blocks. It also helps reset our cellular memory and nervous system.

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Kambo enters the body through the lymphatic system which is part of the circulatory and immune systems; key to purifying the body. It does this by the peptides and neuropeptides entering the body through the lymphatic system which travel to the brain to our receptors. Receptors are like locks and peptides are like keys. The peptides unlock the receptors and the body then knows to go into healing process. There is literally no other natural medicine with the power and knowledge that Kambo holds to work in sync with what is already within us.

 

How Kambo was first discovered…

Legend tells of the Natives of the Kaxinawa tribe falling very ill. The Shaman and medicine man, Kampu, had done everything that was possible to cure them, using all of his knowledge and medicines, but he was unable to heal his people. Kampu then entered the forest and, while under the effect of a powerful visionary plant medicine called “Ayahuasca”, received an incredible vision. He was shown the Kambo frog and how to use its medicine to heal the people of his village. Returning to the tribe and following the lessons from the vision that he had received, Kampu used the Kambo medicine to cure his people. After Kampu’s death, it was believed that his spirit lived within the Kambo frog so the indigenous began to use its secretion to stay active and healthy.

 

What is Kambo useful for?

Since Kambo’s discovery by westerners, many have found it to be a potent and effective medicine for a variety of different ailments such as depression, arthritis, infections, autoimmune conditions, inflammatory conditions, addiction, emotional trauma and the list goes on….

 

Some call it a miracle cure for almost any condition. The “sweat” that the frog secretes is full of scientifically studied peptides, some of which stimulate endogenous opioid receptors in a unique way. Some of the compounds cross the blood brain barrier, and others even manipulate the permeability of the blood brain barrier, possibly working synergistically to allow other compounds from the cocktail into the brain that would not normally get through.

 

Many call Kambo the ultimate detoxification. It seems to pull stored toxins out of various organ systems and purge them out of the body in a variety of ways. Some would say it also detoxifies one energetically and spiritually.

 

Kambo contains many active peptides that are responsible for it’s incredible powers to heal. The bioactive peptides and neuropeptides present in Kambo cover a huge array of potential medical uses including:

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• Addiction

• Alzheimer’s  & Parkinson’s disease

• Anxiety & Depression

• Cancer

• Chronic Illnesses & pain

• Diabetes

• Hepatitis

• Infections

• Infertility

• Rheumatism

• Vascular conditions

• PTSD

• Inflammation

• Migraines

• HIV & STDS

• Deeply rooted toxins stored within the organs

• Improves blood circulation

 

Is Kambo Helpful for Lyme Disease?

While Kambo as a whole medicine has not been studied or approved by the FDA for the treatment of any disease, including lyme disease, there is substantial anecdotal evidence for its usefulness in improving health outcomes for those diagnosed with lyme disease. Given the potent antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity of the peptides, and the curious ability for kambo to release stored trauma and emotional pain trapped in the body, Kambo often facilitates profound improvement in symptoms and health status. I would personally say from my own experience with clients suffering from lyme disease, that Kambo is one of the most powerful interventions available today for those suffering from this condition. Many report gaining traction in an upward spiral of regaining health in a way that no other modality was able to provide.

 

 

Is Kambo Toxic and is it safe?

None of the peptides have been identified as toxic to mammalian cells. They are however potently toxic to bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites, making it a great full spectrum antibiotic. There is no known toxicity to the liver, kidneys or brain.

 

Despite the extreme physical reaction, Kambo is actually a very safe procedure if done properly under supervision by a qualified practitioner. There are some people who should not receive Kambo including those with certain heart conditions, addison’s disease, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have received chemotherapy in the last 6 weeks, have had an aneurysm or stroke, are on immunosuppressant drugs for an organ transplant, have a severe psychiatric condition, or are extremely frail.

 

Are the Frogs Harmed in this Process?

No, the frog is treated with utmost respect and compassion when harvesting the secretion. Kambo can only be collected from wild caught frogs living in their native Amazonian jungle habitat, frogs in captivity do not produce the venom. Some speculate that the frogs diet of insects play a role in the potency and properties of the venom.

 

In the traditional method, the frog’s limbs are gently tied, spreading it’s arms and legs in a cross-like fashion and the frog is sang to and delicately stroked on the back to provoke the frog to sweat the secretions from it’s skin.  The indigenous tribes believe that if you harm the frog in any way, it’s spirit will be angered and not provide healing.  After collection, the frog is then released back into its wild habitat. Often times, the frogs will be marked with an ink that wears off in about a week, so that if a frog is caught with an ink mark, they know it has not had enough time to replenish it’s venom as collecting it too frequently would give it a disadvantage at defending its self against predators.

 

The medicine I use comes from the International Association of Kambo Practitioners (IAKP) and is ethically sourced directly from the Matsés in Brazil. The frogs are treated very kindly, only taking the first 20% of their secretion. By purchasing these sticks of medicine, we are directly supporting the Matsés and empowering them to continue living in the jungle and protecting it from the Brazilian government. Each Kambo ceremony helps conserve our precious Amazon rainforest and the people who are there to protect it.

 

What to expect from a Kambo ceremony…

It is important to come into a kambo ceremony with a clear intention. Open up your heart and ask yourself...

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“What do I want to work on in myself?”

“What is it that I want to heal?”

“What trauma do I want to release?”

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A Kambo ceremony can be done in an individual (1:1) or group setting (circle). A basic treatment usually lasts between 20-45 minutes. Before receiving Kambo, you will need to drink 1.5-2 litres of water to ensure that there is plenty of water to purge during the treatment. Following this you will receive a small number of burns on your skin, called gates (amount will vary with each treatment), shortly after which the Kambo will be applied to these gates and will quickly begin to take effect.

It is common for someone deep in the Kambo process, to find resistance and blockages. These could be physical, emotional or spiritual. This is why it is important to have a fully trained practitioner to assist you in your process, not only to keep you safe but to help clear blockages. Rapé is one of the tools also used in Kambo ceremonies to help clear physical, mental, emotional and spiritual blockages.

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During a ceremony you will often be accompanied by music, helping you to connect and tune into your experience. I may also sing certain Kambo songs to help you to purge if necessary. These songs could be accompanied with a shamanic drum, flute or rattle.

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You will always be given enough time to rest before you are ready to leave. A beautiful plant-based soup will be offered as well as a Chaga Tonic.

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After a treatment you may feel tiredness, accompanied with a calm, relaxed feeling. You will be filled with joy and gratitude, like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.

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It is recommended that you take the rest of the day off to rest on the day of your treatment.

 

How Many Sessions Do I Need?

The amount of sessions one may need is largely dependent on the individual’s health, and the goal in mind in taking Kambo. Kambo is most effective when done in a series. For any chronic health issue, doing several treatments in a short amount of time is ideal to get the upper hand on things such as bacteria, inflammation, or detoxification. Some people like to do a 3 day in a row cleanse, for others with health challenges, it may be better to do 3 weeks in a row, with a week inbetween for time to recover and properly detox. Some find that once every 6 weeks is suitable maintenance for them, some do it once and never do it again. It really is up to the individual.

 

If you are trying to accomplish a goal with this medicine, such as achieving relief from depression, or to clear an emotional trauma, I highly suggest committing to at least 3 sessions. The first session is often an introduction to the frog’s spirit. I always say it is like soaking dirty dishes before cleaning them off; sometimes you have some old, hard and crusty residue that needs to be softened a bit before fully cleaning it out. It is through the second session where people tend to have the most catharsis and release. By the third session people tend to get better at navigating the experience and surrendering to it, bringing the arc of their journey to completion, moving through the experience with mastery and grace. 

 

It’s absolutely okay to do Kambo once simply to try it, but I encourage those with an intention to commit to a minimum of 2-3 sessions.

 

What does it feel like when you take Kambo?

Kambo is a fairly quick experience. Usually only lasting 20-30 minutes and you’re typically over the hardest part of it in no time. First, superficial burns are made to the skin, just removing the top layer to expose the lymphatic tissue and the re-hydrated frog secretion is applied to the burns. Shortly after application of the medicine, your heart will pound harder and faster, a rushing feeling can occur and you’ll experience a hot flushing sensation similar to a niacin flush. You may feel a pressure build up in your head.

 

Next, the nausea will come on. Purging through vomiting is an important part of the experience as it allows you to remove physical and energetic toxins. You may have to use the restroom, you may experience shaking, sweating, emotional releases or heavy mucus production. These are all normal ways of purging. After about 20-30 minutes you will start to feel much better and you are able to safely drive home after resting.

 

Depending on the individual’s health, the after effects can vary tremendously. If you are relatively healthy, you will likely experience increased energy, better mood, reduced need for food or water, reduced pain, more motivation, improved clarity, feeling of peace and wellbeing, etc. If you have a chronic illness such as lyme disease, fatigue, candida overgrowth, or an autoimmune condition, you may experience a heavy detox. Something called “die-off” or herxheimer reaction can cause fatigue, achiness, or irritability while you’re detoxing. Because Kambo is such a potent antibiotic, it kills several pathogenic bacteria that live in your body, causing them to burst open and release their biotoxins. Die-off symptoms can last anywhere from 2-8 days. If you experience die-off, it’s usually a sign that you needed this medicine. Generally after the die-off phase, a person will feel better than before they took the Kambo.

 

The medicine is not hallucinogenic or psychoactive like other Amazonian medicines such as Ayahuasca, Toe or Mapacho, there is a strong spiritual component to it, however. Many people receive clarity, have emotional releases, have old memories bubble up, and experience uncanny synchronicities. While Kambo is not hallucinogenic, it is certainly mind expansive in a unique way, unlike any other substance.