Kambo
What is it?
Kambo is the waxy secretion of an Amazonian tree frog, ‘Phyllomedusa Bicolor’. It has been used for thousands of years by indigenous people to assist in healing and has been thought to be able to get rid of ‘panema’ or stuck negative energy. Hunters would use kambo before their hunting expeditions to improve their eyesight, increase their stamina and endurance and reduce their scent.
How is Kambo administered?
First, I’ll ask you to drink 2 or so liters of water. Then, I’ll place small burns on your body with a vine or incense. The placements of these burns can be your choice, or I can place them on chakra or meridian points, depending on your intentions for the ceremony. The surface-level burns are called “gates”, and I will being rehydrating and preparing the kambo to be placed on them. Your body’s lymphatic system then starts delivering the many bio-available throughout your body.
What Can I expect from the Experience?
Kambo’s effects advance very quickly and while fairly unpleasant, not usually painful. While it is actively in your system you will probably experience a variety of sensations, including flushing, high and low blood pressures, swelling of the hands and face, nausea and vomiting, and even the need for a toilet. This is a process of purging blocks in your physical, emotional, mental and energetic bodies. Sometimes a purge looks like vomiting, other times the purge may include intense sweating, emotional releases like crying or rage, or bowel movements. The goal for you as someone receiving kambo is to relax, focus on your breathing, and simply allow kambo to do the work. After the purge, I remove the kambo from your gates and allow for a period of time for your to rest and integrate the experience. People often report that they feel calm, centered, grounded, and relaxed soon after the purge completes. Many report feeling a increase of overall energy and vitality, and an improved sense of well-being.
Are the frogs harmed?
No. The Kambo frogs are deeply respected and considered as “The Spirit of The Forest” by the tribes that harvest the frog’s secrections. The process of harvesting inflicts no pain or vulnerability to them.
Contraindications
kambo should not be taken by people with these conditions:
Stroke.
Heart bypass surgery.
Enlarged heart.
Implanted cardioverter defibrillators.
Pericardial effusion.
Congestive heart disease.
Excess fluid in the heart sack.
Heart valve replacement surgery.
Organ transplant.
Blood clots.
Serious mental health conditions.
Seriously low blood pressure that requires medication.
Currently pregnant or breastfeeding a child under the age of 1 year.
*This is not an exhaustive list so you must inform your practitioner of any health issues, medications, or supplements that you are taking. Fasting must be avoided for 7 days before or after a Kambo treatment and any water based detox should be avoided for 3 days before or after.
What’s the Science?
Kambo isn’t magic. It’s active compounds are a very diverse collection of peptides that researchers are still examining. Pharmaceutical companies have placed patents on various isolated peptides found in the Kambo frog secretions, but only the frog itself has figured out how to combine them all into the perfect blend to aid mankind. Some of the peptides discovered in it’s secretions are:
Bradykinins (phyllokinin)
Tachykinins (phyllomedusin)
Cerulean
Sauvagine
Tryptophyllins
Dermorphins
Deltorphins
Bombesins
Andenoregulin