What is Kambo Medicine?
Kambo is a secretion from the back of a large green jungle frog, given the name Phyllomedusa bicolor for classification, but more commonly known as the giant waxy monkey tree frog. It’s found in the southern Amazon, across the countries of Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia.
Kambo has been studied for its pharmacological potential and found to contain several peptides that trigger extreme reactions in human beings. These include the potent opioids Dermorphin and Deltorphin—each many times stronger than morphine.
Therapy
The Kambô therapy uses the venom (poison) released by the Giant Monkey Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor), which has been found to contain more than 200 bioactive peptides providing deep healing for people with varied conditions. Kambô (sapo) has been used for thousands of years by native tribes in the Amazon. They have been using this medicine to boost their immune system and also to help sharpen their senses to help with hunting as well as to “lift panema” or bad luck.
Kambo Treatment
In a session of Kambo you will experience a rapid reaction of your autonomous nervous system as well as a vomiting and possible swelling. The session lasts anywhere from 45 min to 90 minutes depending on the person. The “intense” part lasts anywhere from 5 to 40 min.
Practitioner
I hold a deep respect for sacred Kambo medicine and I am passionate about offering safe, supporting and tranformational experience during Kambo circles. We often Kambo as a mean to prepare our participants to the various medicines we offer during our retreats worldwide.
I have been working with Kambo over 5 years, having experienced Kambo ceremonies in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Mexico. My training was done in the jungle of Colombia with a group of Matsés, close to the Venezuelan border.
Ethics and Harvest
On all Kambo gatherings we use traditionally harvested medicine and supports the Matses Tribal communities enabling them to be sustainable and to thrive economically.
The process
The first step is the consultation process with the practitioner where you will be asked a few questions regarding your intention for working with kambo, any medications you might be taking and any historical or current medical conditions.
All information shared is confidential and is used for purposes of safety, determining the number of points of kambo and ideal placement on the body.
You will be required to drink 1-2L of pure drinking water during the process to assist the body to remove toxins the kambo draws out.
The preparation for receiving kambo requires a period of fasting from food, between 8 and 12 hours. Only enough water to stay hydrated should be consumed leading up to the treatment.
Kambo is applied to the body using specific sites, also known as gates. The gates are created on specific parts of the body using a burn technique which removes the first skin layer revealing the epidermal layer underneath. There is no blood. The burn is sharp and quick using either an incense stick or a specific vine. At the gate site, lymph will naturally rise to the surface.
The dried kambo is reconstituted with a little water and made into small dots, the size of the gates, known as the points. The number of points will depend on the individual requirements.
Once the kambo is applied to the gate it moves quickly into the body via the lymphatic system.
Once the consultation process is finished the burn sites will be prepared and you will be guided when to start drinking your water.
Once the kambo is applied to the gates the process is intense but fast. Generally the process is complete within 30-40 minutes. Everyone responds to kambo differently. But general observations are an increase in heart rate, feelings of rushing and pulsing around the head and ears, heat, fogginess, dizziness, nausea.
The kambo will be moving around the body scanning for problem areas. Kambo is not a psychoactive medicine so will not produce hallucinations. Once the session culminates the body will purge the toxins. The purge can happen physically and/or emotionally.
Once the process is complete, the kambo is removed and you can lay down to rest, allowing the body to return to normal. It is important to have some food before attempting to resume normal activities (provided at the end as you recover ). You may feel a little tired, but most people recover quickly and feel better within the hour.
The tiredness may linger for a day, but with more food and a good sleep, the real magic of kambo is normally felt the next day after receiving the treatment.
The burn sites will be treated with a tree sap from the amazon known as Dragon’s blood. This sap has anti-microbial qualities and forms a layer of skin over the burn while it heals. This helps them to heal faster and prevents infection.
The burn marks do leave scars, which depending on your skin colour and thickness may fade with time. The same burn marks can be used approximately three months later for future treatments.
CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR KAMBO
Kambo is completely safe to receive when administered responsibly. However there are certain conditions in which kambo should not be received.
The following list are conditions which mean kambo cannot be given safely.
– Serious heart conditions including pacemaker, bypass surgery, valve disease and enlarged heart
– Pregnancy
– Breastfeeding an infant less than six months in age
– Epilepsy
– Any history of brain haemorrhage
– Any history of aneurysm, stroke or blood clots
– Anyone with a history of psychiatric illness or serious mental health issues, must be discussed previously to determine suitability.
– Organ transplant
– Under 18 years of age
– Addison’s disease
– People undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy
– On medication for low blood pressure
– Anyone lacking mental capacity to decide whether to take kambo.
If you are unsure about anything please get in touch prior to the ceremony.
– Pregnancy
– Breastfeeding an infant less than six months in age
– Epilepsy
– Any history of brain haemorrhage
– Any history of aneurysm, stroke or blood clots
– Anyone with a history of psychiatric illness or serious mental health issues, must be discussed previously to determine suitability.
– Organ transplant
– Under 18 years of age
– Addison’s disease
– People undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy
– On medication for low blood pressure
– Anyone lacking mental capacity to decide whether to take kambo.
If you are unsure about anything please get in touch prior to the ceremony.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE DAY AND WHAT TO BRING
– You must fast from all foods, including milk and juice for at least 10 hours before the ceremony. This is a requirement to be able to sit with this medicine.
– No alcohol or drug consumption 48 hours prior to the ceremony
– The recommendation for a smooth journey is to have a light vegetarian meal the evening before the ceremony.
– In the lead up to the ceremony you may drink water and herbal tea free from any sweeteners. This includes honey and stevia. Please also avoid caffeinated drinks. Please keep liquid intake to a minimum as you will be drinking a large amount immediately prior to journey.
