About Kambô
What is Kambo?
Kambô is a purification ritual using the secretions from a type of hylid frog known as the giant leaf frog. Depending on the tribe, the frog goes by many names such as Kambô, Sapo, Kambu, giant monkey frog, and Dow-Kiet. Its scientific name is Phyllomedusa bicolor and it’s found throughout the Amazon Rainforest Basin in Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela and the Guianas.
The giant leaf frog is mostly lime green in color with a white to yellow white or cream belly. It’s lower lips, chest and front legs are covered in white spots with dark frames. Its fingers are transparent brown with giant adhesive discs. The secretion is mainly stored in a gland extending from behind each eye.
Therapeutic Uses of Kambo
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Depression
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Migraines
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Blood circulation issues
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Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
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Organ disease
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Vascular insufficiency
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Cancer
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Fertility problems
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Fibromyalgia
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Chronic fatigue
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Chronic pain
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Rheumatism
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Fever and infections
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Negative energies (known as “panama”)
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Addiction to opiate or prescription painkillers
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Heighten senses, stamina, and strength
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HIV/AIDS
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Hepatitis
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Lyme’s disease
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Skin and eye issues
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Arthritis
Research shows that the Phyllomedusa bicolor’s venom consists of hundreds of bioactive peptides that are beneficial to the human body. Some of these peptides are potent vasodilators that increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and stimulate the endocrine glands, like that of an antibiotic, which results in a deep cleanse and protection of the body.
Kambô is known as the “vaccine of the forest”. Stimulating the body’s production of antibodies, Kambô boots the immune system, making the body resistant to an invasion of illnesses. It’s one of the strongest natural anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antimicrobial, and anesthetics found in the world and is a powerful cleanser and detoxifier of the digestive and lymphatic systems.
One of Kambô’s most exciting potential medical applications is in the treatment of cancer. Through the process of necrosis (active destruction), Dermaseptin B2 has been shown to stop cancer cell growth by more than 90%. The peptides in Kambô also show a promising treatment for conditions like Cryptococcal meningitis in patients with late-stage HIV.
The deltorphins and dermorphin peptides present in Kambô have analgesic effects comparable to the body’s own pain response. These peptides are 200 and 40 times (respectively) stronger than morphine without the same level of respiratory depression, tolerance potential, and withdrawal symptoms, making Kambô an excellent treatment of chronic pain.
Other peptides cause a drop in blood pressure, stimulate the adrenal cortex and the pituitary gland, contributing to heightened sensory perception and increased stamina. These peptides also have a strong analgesic effect, increase physical strength and enhance the capacity to face pain and stressful situations. Some of these peptides have shown to have a potent effect on pain, inflammation, blood circulation, gastrointestinal muscles, gastric & pancreatic secretions, and stimulates the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland.
Other medical properties of the venomous secretion are its anti-inflammatory effects, its capacity to destroy microbes & viruses, and heal infections. Due to the presence of these peptides, Kambô is one of the strongest natural antibiotics and anesthetics found in the world.
While there are no clinical studies that definitively support Kambô’s efficacy, the peptide properties suggest a promising treatment for the following:
Psycho-Spiritual Benefits
Kambô is used as both a standalone treatment and alongside ayahuasca, ibogaine, and other plant medicine treatments. The Kambô ritual is used to clear negative energy, or panama, which traditionally has been the root cause for bad luck, depression laziness, irritation, and other adverse states.
Psychologically, Kambô brings heightened focus, clarity of mind, increases resilience to stressors, and reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms. The purgative and energetic clearing effects of the medicine help to remove emotional blockages in the body resulting in a release of emotions. This process can have many somatic and physiological effects.
Through its physiological and psychological effects, Kambô reconnects the individual to their essential nature. The purgative effects may be spiritually felt as a release of anxiety, depression, bad thoughts, negative habits, persistent life problems, ridding the person of all that keeps them feeling disconnected from their true self.
Rapé & Sananga
Rapé (ha-pey) snuff and sananga eyedrops are additional offerings.
Purification Ritual
The ritual begins with the patient drinking a minimum of 2 liters of water. Once this is completed, the medicine is prepared. The patient’s saliva is mixed with the venom to form a paste and divided into small dots for application. Once prepared, small points are burned through the top layer of the skin (the epidermis) with a piece of burning Tamishi vine. Traditionally, these points are burned on the upper arm, chest, or lower leg/ankle. The medicine dots are then applied to the burn points. Aided by Kambô’s vasodilating peptides, the medicine is immediately absorbed into the lymphatic system. The medicine stays on the skin for approximately 20 minutes before being removed.
Within 30 seconds to one minute, you will start to feel flush, warm, and your heart will beat faster. Due to the vasodilation, your blood pressure will drop and you may feel lightheaded. You may also begin to feel stomach pain, cramping, vibrations, auditory sensitivity, and you may sweat. Overwhelming nausea is nearly unavoidable with Kambô and purging is likely. Other effects include feeling pressure in the head and neck, headache, inflammation of the throat, dry mouth, difficulty moving, and swollen lips and tongue.
Once the medicine is removed, these effects begin to rapidly wear off. Once the heart rate has returned to normal, it’s necessary to bathe and rest.
After the ceremony, you may feel physically strong, sharpened senses, decreased hunger, and heightened mental alertness and clarity. Desirable after effects may be immediate or may take a day or more to materialize and may last several days, weeks, or months.
Depending on your illness and symptoms, it may take several treatments of Kambô to reach long-term benefits. Dosage of medicine and number and frequency of sessions are individually assessed and planned for each individual based on their medical history and current symptoms.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The material on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your physician before using any alternative healing modalities.