Kambo

Kambo comes from the Amazon, each tribe has it’s own legend about how they came to use this medicine. The legend that is most prevalent comes from a tribe in Brazil, Kaxinawa tribe. The legend goes, this tribe was very ill, the medicine man named Kampu tried all known remedies yet nothing seemed to work. This medicine man used sacred plant medicine, went into the forest and while he was in the forest a vision came to him. A female spirit came to him with a frog in her hands, and showed him how to use this medicine for his tribe. He then went to his tribe and administered this medicine to each person and the tribe was cured.

It is believed that the spirit of Kampu lives on in the frog, and this medicine became known as Kambo. In some tribes they call it Sapo, Dow-kiet, Kampu or Vacina da Floresta.

This medicine has been used for thousands of years among the indigenous tribe of the amazon, and continues to be used in present day.

Kambo comes from the Giant Tree Frog, the Phyllomedusa Bicolor. This tree frog produces a secretion on its back, which is collected by a shaman. This secretion is then place onto a stick for future use.

This tree frog will not produce this secretion if it is in captivity, it is only produced when the frog is living in its own natural habitat. It is not certain as to the reasoning behind the frogs not producing the secretion in captivity but it is thought to do with their diet. It is also important to note that the frog is not harmed in the process of gathering the medicine. The shaman goes into the forest and sings to the frogs, then a frog will descend from the tree. The shaman tries not to tough the frog with his hands, he takes a string and wraps it around the wrists of the frog. Where the string was wrapped on the wrists, it leaves a mark frogs that have these markings will not be used for harvest again.This process can create some stress for the frogs but the frog is not physically harmed in this process.

This frog is nocturnal and arboreal (meaning they live in trees). They also do not have any natural predators which means that these frogs are found in abundance in the Upper Amazon rainforest. The only threat these little miracles medicine makers have is the destruction of the rainforest due to farming and agriculture.

The Phyllomedusa Bicolor Frog reproduces all year long, however the peak time for reproduction is between November and May. A nest is constructed that hangs from the tree, over the river where the eggs will be housed. Once these eggs hatch, which in each spawn can average around 1000 eggs each time, the tadpoles stay in this little nest for a period of time until they are large enough to serve on their own. This frog has a large population due to this reproductive cycle, many of the tadpoles survive into adulthood.

As an International Association Kambo Practitioner (IAKP), I get access to buy Kambo Directly from the Mates Tribe. The kambo used within the ceremony is ethically and traditionally harvested by a Shaman of the Mate tribe.

Detoxification: Kambo is believed to have detoxifying properties, as it can induce purging through vomiting and bowel movements. This is thought to help eliminate toxins from the body, promoting a sense of cleansing and purification.

Physical Healing: Some individuals use Kambo for its potential healing effects on certain physical ailments. It is claimed to support the immune system, boost energy levels, improve circulation, and relieve pain. However, scientific evidence supporting these claims is currently lacking.

Mental and Emotional Well-being: Kambo ceremonies are often described as intense and purgative experiences. Participants may report a sense of mental clarity, emotional release, and increased resilience following a ceremony. Kambo is sometimes used to address emotional challenges, stress, and depression, although further research is needed to validate these effects.

Spiritual and Energetic Exploration: Kambo is considered a sacred medicine by indigenous communities. Some individuals use it as a tool for spiritual growth, self-discovery, and connecting with higher consciousness or ancestral energies. The ceremonial context and guidance from experienced practitioners can contribute to the spiritual and energetic aspects of the Kambo experience.

Kambo is a very safe medicine when administered by a properly trained practitioner. It is important to disclose your whole health history with your Kambo Practitioner, and if you have any questions or need further clarification, please ask.