Kambo is the secretion of the Giant Green Monkey Tree Frog, which comes from the rainforests of the Upper Amazon. A few of the first noted Amazonian tribes to use Kambo include Matses, Kaxinawá, Amahuaca, and Yaminawá. The use of Kambo dates back thousands of years. Hunters would use Kambo to cleanse, strengthen and energize the mind and body. It would also allow them to run faster and longer, and eat and sleep less. Kambo was also used as medicine to treat malaria, fever, infections, and snake bites, and to clear away negative energy/ Panema, which can lead to overcoming obstacles and a more natural flow in one’s life.
Kambo served by practitioners through the International Association of Kambo Practitioners (IAKP) is ethically and sustainably harvested, and comes directly from Matses tribe. The frogs are never harmed and are treated with the utmost care and respect. Only the first secretion is taken, which leaves the frog with sufficient secretion to defend itself from predators. Frogs go 2-3 months between harvesting periods after being released into the wild.
Kambo's interaction with our bodies
Kambo is made up of a unique and complex mixture of bioactive peptides and neuropeptides, those of which are shared with and recognized by the human body. Peptides have an abundance of functions in the body.
Neuropeptides influence activities in the brain and body, such as analgesia, food intake, learning, and memory. They are responsible for one's mood, energy levels, pain, pleasure, weight, cognitive reasoning, ability to form memories, and immune system regulation. Neuropeptides can also turn on cellular function in the skin and have pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory effects.
Bioactive peptides perform a specific biological function that positively impacts the body, such as protein synthesis and producing immunoglobulin (antibodies). When bioactive peptides enter the body, the cell receptors recognize the compound and open to allow it to enter the cells, resulting in a flush and cleanse of deposits left in the cells by foreign substances that the cell was not able to process alone.
A few peptides identified in Kambo:
Phyllokinin: Produces hypotension, a long lasting reduction in blood pressure.
Dermorphin: Effects pulmonary ventilation and pituitary hormone release. It has a potent opiate like activity on the mu-type opioid receptors, which has an analgesic effect.
Tryptophyllins: Biological activity is highly potent against yeast Candida Albans.
Dermaseptin: Antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeast, fungi, protozoa and enveloped viruses, as well as filamentous fungi that are responsible for severe opportunistic infections accompanying AIDS and the use of immunosuppressive agents.
Adenoregulin: Interacts with the adenosine receptor, a fundamental component in the human cell fuel and has shown to be very effective in killing cancer cells.
What to expect
The effects of Kambo come on very strong, and can include flushing, rise in body temperature, pounding in the head, sweating, dizziness, and increased heart rate. Some experience a burning sensation where the secretion has been applied, which can spread throughout the body. Other effects can include more awareness, tingling, sensation, or discomfort in various parts of the body. Extreme nausea is experienced with physical purging of toxins, and some experience loosening of the bowels or diarrhea. It is normal for inflammation and swelling to occur in the throat, face, and lips, which will pass. These effects are temporary, and usually last no longer than 30-40 minutes. Once the Kambo is removed, you are invited to rest to integrate the experience. Tea with honey and fresh fruit will be provided after to regain electrolytes.
The effects of Kambo
The after effects of Kambo differ for everyone, and can include elevated mood, increased energy, clarity of mind, increased focus, clearing of emotional baggage, and removal of toxic behavioural and thought patterns.
Kambo can also provide a physical detox and strengthen the immune system by stimulating the body’s defence system to fall back into its natural rhythm, which can resolve existing health problems and precaution against future health problems. Due to the various peptides, it also acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antimicrobial and anesthetic. These effects may occur immediately, or unfold over the weeks or months to follow.
Kambo has now been subject to medical research for over two decades. Research has found that Kambo has been beneficial for Diabetes, Cancer, Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Addictions, Parkinson’s Disease, HIV, Hepatitis, Depression, Anxiety, Vascular problems, and much more. I encourage you to do some independent research on the uses of Kambo. Please visit https://iakp.org/research/ for a number of research articles.
Offering 1:1 and group Kambo and Biofield Tuning ceremonies in Vancouver, BC and the lower mainland. Please click below to e-mail for more information or to schedule a session