What is Kambo?

Kambo is a secretion from one of the largest Hylid frogs known as the Giant Green Monkey Tree Frog. Its scientific name is Phyllomedusa Bicolor. The frog is nocturnal and arboreal and due to the fact that it has no natural predators is found in abundance across the Upper Amazon rainforest areas of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, French Guiana, Suriname and Venezuela. 

The only known threats to this species of frog at the moment are spawn predation and the potential destruction of their habitat.

Scientist Vittorio Erspamer of the University of Rome who was nominated for the Nobel prize wrote that the Kambo secretion contains a “fantastic chemical cocktail with potential medical applications, unequaled by any other amphibian”. Erspamer went on to say that ‘Among the several dozen peptides found in kambô, up to 7% are bio-active.’ They bind with receptor sites situated in the brain, triggering chemical reactions in the human body. So far, researchers have found nine bio- active peptides that have a potent effect on the gastrointestinal muscles, gastric and pancreatic secretions, blood circulation, and on the stimulation of the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland. The Kambo peptides discovered by Erspamer trigger a variety of beneficial chemical reactions in the human body. Kambo has the ability, unlike many other natural and pharmaceutical substances, to cross the blood-brain barrier, enabling it to reach deep into the body and bring support to otherwise difficult to treat areas. Human cells open up to the beneficial properties of Kambo unlike many substances that are filtered and eliminated by the body’s highly intelligent defense system. Thus far, researchers have discovered nine peptides, some of which are bio-active – meaning that they perform specific functions in the body. These peptides perform hormone-like tasks while others provide support to vital cellular processes. Some of these peptides have a potent effect on the gastrointestinal muscles, gastric and pancreatic secretions, blood circulation, and on the stimulation of the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland. Many peptides have since been isolated from the Kambo secretion and have been synthesized. As a testament to their medicinal properties, there are over now over 70 Kambo related patents lodged.

Kambo is said to be the great revealer. Many have described their Kambo experiences as a genuine rebirth. Kambo helped them to reignite their courage and to acknowledge themselves on a deeper level, letting go of that which was holding them back and allowing them to embrace their highest happiness. It will change you. Kambo brings clarity, strength, insights and can deliver a deeply transformative experience.

The frog is a Universal symbol of the embracing of personal power. It reminds us not to become bogged down with day-to-day living. Give the frog and Kambo the support and energy needed to reclaim your true nature and allow yourselves to simply shine. Kambo has never failed to bring change.

Whether Kambo has you purging, sweating, shaking, crying or in a state of bliss, you can be sure that change is in progress.

Are you ready to take the leap?

You can find out more on the links below:

Kambo Research Paper

International Association of Kambo Practitioners

Kambo Contradictions -

Kambo is very safe when given by a properly trained practitioner. However there are some conditions for which Kambo is contraindicated. This is not an exhaustive list. It is important to consult a properly trained and skilled practitioner if you have any concerns. Suitability for Kambo may occasionally depend the constitution of the person receiving Kambo. Those who we contraindicate include  people who:

• Have serious heart problems or have had heart surgery (Stents are fine)
• Are on medication for low blood pressure
• Have had a stroke or a brain haemorrhage
• Have an aneurism or blood clot(s)
• Lack the mental capacity to make the decision to take Kambo
• Have serious mental health problems, excluding depression, PTSD and anxiety
• Are undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy or who had undergone it within the last 4 weeks
• Take immune-suppressants for organ transplant
• Have Addison’s Disease
• Have current and severe epilepsy
• Are recovering from a major surgical procedure
• Are under 18 years old
• Are pregnant or maybe so or are breast-feeding a child under 6 months old.

Research conducted since 1980 has shown the chemical makeup of kambo to contain short chains of amino acids, known as peptides, that affect gastrointestinal muscles and blood circulation as well as stimulate the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland in the brain. While there are no clinical studies that definitely back up kambo's efficacy, the properties of kambo peptides made it a promising treatment for the following conditions -

Depression

Migraines

Blood circulation problems

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease

Vascular insufficiency

Organ diseases

Cancer

Fertility problems

Deeply rooted toxins

Chronic pain

Addition to opiate or prescription pain killers. Kambo reduces physical pain, thus helping people kick their addictions to other pain killers.

Fever and infections

Negative energies. Traditionally known as "panema."

Sananga and Hapi, described below may also be used during a kambo ceremony, or as medicines on their own. 

Sananga
Sananga is a traditional medicine used by the tribes of the Amazon. Sananga is created by steeping the plant shavings of Tabernaemontana sananho in water. The resulting mixture is a powerful cleanser, commonly used as an eye drop, although it also has topical and internal uses.

The Matsés, Yawanawá, and Huni Kuin tribes often take the drops before hunting. They believe that Sananga sharpens both their night/day vision and perception (other senses). Sananga is known to improve the definition of detail and color while also enhancing spiritual insights.
Those who use Sananga eye drops long-term report quality of mind previously unknown to them, with increased perception and intuition, leading to greater access to spiritual insights. One could say that Sananga supports a more precise, more profound relationship with the higher self. The tribes teach that our journey towards clarity involves removing 'panema.' To the Shaman, panema is a cluster of disqualified energies present in a person's energy field. This disharmonious energy is accumulated from bad habits and wrong thinking and is detrimental to holistic wellbeing.

Panama often weighs on the energetic body of the individual, leaving them numb, discouraged, sad, depressed, stressed, and feeling physically heavy. Panema affects all of our bodies, whether physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual.

With frequent use, Sananga will wash away panema and leave you feeling light, lively, capable, and refreshed. You will feel clear and progress more quickly towards your higher goals.

Sananga is often used before receiving kambo although is also served on its own as a medicine of many gifts to the recipient.

Benefits of Sananga may include but not limited to - Balancing of mind, body and spirit, decalcify the pineal gland, enhances visual colours and perception, removes Panama and improves eye health, brings one into the present moment. 

Rapay

Rapé is pronounced ‘ha-peh’ in English. Also, it’s known to be casually referred to as ‘hape’, ‘hapi’ or ‘rapay” by some Western people.

Hapi is a sacred, powerful, precious, profoundly healing and cleansing miracle medicine. They are made in a very sacred and labour intensive process, and consist of various Amazonian medicinal plants, trees, leaves, seeds, and other sacred ingredients. Some types of rapé are made by various indigenous tribes, who originate from different South American countries – primarily Brazil and Peru.

Traditionally, they are applied by using a pipe made from bamboo or bone, which is blown through each nostril on both sides. They can be self-administered using a V-shaped self-applicator pipe, which connects the mouth to the nostrils. Alternatively, the can be administered by another person using a blow pipe, which connects the blower’s mouth to the other person’s nostrils. The self-applicator pipe is known as ‘Kuripe’, and the blow pipe is know as a ‘Tepi’ in the Brazilian tradition.

Generally, they have the following effects – profoundly helps to re-align and open all your chakras, improves your grounding, releases any sickness on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels, opens-up the third eye, de-calcifies the pineal gland, clears any mental confusion, releases any negative thoughts, removes any entities, connects you to your divine breath, and elevates your connection with Spirit.

Please note that you may experience purging, vomiting, bowel movements and excess saliva, which is normal – where stuck energy, toxins and sickness are being released from your energetic and physical bodies. You may need a bucket, toilet tissue and drinking water close to hand.

Each different type of rapé has different vibrations, notes, qualities, subtleties, and very different effects on the energetic field. Furthermore, after you develop a deeper relationship with each rapé – ​they are powerful Plant teacher spirits, where you can ask any questions or hold specific intentions for each sacred session.