Kambo is the protective layer secreted by the Phyllomedusa bi-color tree frog. These frogs native to the Amazon basin are nocturnal in nature and have a relationship with the indigenous people who harvest this medicine and have worked with it since “the beginning”. Some of these tribes are the Matsés, the Yawanawa, and the Huni Kuin.The frogs themselves  are considered bio-indicators of the health of an ecosystem. They can "eat with their eyes and breathe through their skin”. And, their natural environment is shrinking and being polluted.

 

Science has isolated approximately 40 peptides (short chains of amino acids) that are inherent to the secretions emitted by these frogs known as the medicine Kambo. About 12 of them are anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-candida, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial. Four of the peptides are known to bond to opioid receptor sites, thus alleviating pain, and can serve to help addicts separate from their addiction. Some peptides are specifically designed to cross the blood-brain barrier and bond to serotonin receptor sites, thereby allowing an increase in the “feel good” hormone, dopamine. Others target individual organs and allow the organs to contract and release all toxins or what is not natural and healthy within each cell of the organ. The studies continue to list the benefits of these peptides.

 

The peptides are administered by applying a slight burn to the skin and application of the dried reconstituted secretions into the wound. In a closely monitored environment, this is a very safe procedure, and highly beneficial to detoxify the body, mind, and spirit.

 

My Kambo healing sessions include three medicines. The first one is called Sananga. This eyedrop from the jungle is used to help hunters find and locate animals to feed their families. It is also used for eye infections, corrective eye vision, and needed shifts in perception. This uncomfortably stinging eyedrop comes from the bark of the Tabernaemontana sananho plant. Indigenous people use this eyedrop to also banish what they call Panema, which are negative spiritual entities.

 

The second medicine is the application of Kambo. You will be asked to drink over a liter of water, and the medicine will be placed into the burned ports on your body. This will be left on between 20 and 35 minutes. Purging in all regards may and will occur and can include vomiting, defecating, crying, sighing, laughing, yawning, shaking, and changes of temperature. This can be very uncomfortable, but is completely normal.

 

The third medicine will be Hapé. This again is an indigenous Amazonian tobacco ash blended with traditional herbs and is administered up the nose by blowing into a Tepé. This again helps to clear negative energies, open the heart, ground and clear the body, and is used to decalcify the pineal gland.