KAMBÔ
Exploring the Healing Power of 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 secretion is not a sweat nor a poison in the sense that it alone is not capable of causing death or illness. In the Amazon, it is regarded as a medicine.
Widely sought after by indigenous tribes for its purifying effects on both the mind and body, kambo exhibits strong purgative effects when applied via burns on the skin. Known as gates, these burns provide a path to the lymphatic system, where kambo quickly gets to work on the individual.
Like many medicines from the Amazon rainforest, taking kambo is not for the faint of heart. Kambo induces an intense physical purge, and depending on the individual; the short-lived effects can be very unpleasant.
KAMBÔ
BENEFITS
Among native Amazonian populations, kambo is traditionally used by shamans to address conditions like malaria, fertility issues, fevers, and snake bites. It also serves as a cleansing and detoxifying agent for the body and spirit.
Beyond the jungle, western users have found kambo effective for various conditions, including:
Chronic fatigue syndrome
HIV
Parkinson's disease
Alzheimer's
Chronic pain
Depression
Hepatitis
Addiction.
Several published studies support reported subjective benefits. Italian scientist Vittorio Erspamer, who extensively studied kambo, noted its "fantastic chemical cocktail with potential medical applications."
Kambo possesses the unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier easily, reaching deeper into the body. Research suggests that peptides in kambo, like Dermaseptin B2, exhibit effectiveness against certain cancer cells.
Known for potent natural properties, kambo acts as an anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antimicrobial, and anesthetic substance, strengthening the immune system and detoxifying the liver and GI tract.
KAMBÔ
AT CHANDRA
Benefits of Combining Kambo with an Ayahuasca Retreat
Enhanced Cleansing: Kambo is often considered a purgative, helping to cleanse the body of toxins. When taken before an Ayahuasca ceremony, it is believed to clear physical and energetic blockages, allowing for a more profound and transformative experience with Ayahuasca.
Physical Preparation: Kambo is thought to prepare the body by purging and detoxifying, creating a cleaner physical and energetic space for the Ayahuasca journey. This may lead to a more effective and focused experience during the Ayahuasca ceremony.
Snergistic Benefits: Some believe that the combination of Kambo and Ayahuasca may have synergistic effects, enhancing the overall healing and transformative potential of the experiences. The purgative and cleansing properties of Kambo might complement the visionary and introspective nature of Ayahuasca.
Spiritual Connection: Both Kambo and Ayahuasca have deep roots in traditional Amazonian shamanic practices. Some individuals view the combination as a way to connect with the plant spirits and receive guidance, insights, or healing on a spiritual level
Deeper Insights: Kambo is sometimes referred to as the "vaccine of the forest," and its use is associated with increased clarity, focus, and vitality. Combining this with Ayahuasca, which is known for providing insights and visions, may result in a more profound and holistic understanding of oneself and one's life.
THE CEREMONY
Prepare for the Kambo ceremony by hydrating with 1.5 liters of water, a crucial step for purification and maintaining hydration.
The ceremony commences with the precise creation of small skin punctures, typically on the arms for men and legs for women.
Rejuvenating dried Kambo with water, we delicately apply it to these fresh wounds.
Initially, the experience may be challenging, marked by an intensified heart rate, nausea, and vomiting lasting 30 to 60 minutes.
Fear not, as the transformative cleansing power of Kambo takes effect within minutes of application.
Throughout the ceremony, our caring facilitators will guide and support you, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment.
After the Kambo ceremony, participants often share profound experiences, citing enhanced mental clarity, emotional release, improved health, and heightened energy and well-being.
For many, engaging in a Kambo ceremony becomes a deliberate choice to expel negativity, resulting in a renewed sense of positivity and a clearer vision for the future.
IS KAMBÔ ADMINISTERED?
HOW
To administer Kambô, the desiccated secretion is rehydrated with water, resembling a small ball of wasabi once prepared. Mild burns are delicately made on the skin, and the top layer is scraped off, revealing the glistening wet lymph underneath. This serves as the entry point into the body's lymphatic system, the central hub of our immune system.
The secretion is applied to this opening, referred to as the "point," rapidly spreading throughout the body, inducing changes in blood pressure, temperature, smooth muscle contraction, tear production, and more. Sensations are notably intense and uncomfortable, manifesting quickly but subsiding within 20 to 40 minutes.
The initial experience often includes a warmth and flushing of the skin, an elevated heart rate, and heightened pressure in the head and upper body. Continuing circulation may lead to slight swelling, dizziness, shaking, trembling, tingling, sweating, nausea, pain, overall bodily discomfort, and even fainting.
The outcomes of a session vary, with some individuals reporting deep states of calm meditation, coupled with feelings of euphoria and bliss.
Throughout the experience, Kambô scans and navigates the body, identifying and purging toxins and dense energies. Purging is the primary mechanism through which Kambô eliminates unwanted energy/toxins from the body. Post-purging, individuals typically feel either energized or completely exhausted. Regardless, it is recommended to rest, allowing Kambô's full healing potential to take effect.In the days following a treatment, individuals often begin to experience the genuine benefits of Kambô, feeling cleansed, clear, rejuvenated, and energised. Some may notice subtle and harder-to-discern after-effects.
Kambô, a heart modality, energetically brings the recipient back to their center and alignment. Each ceremony is a profoundly visceral event, a commitment to experiencing reality in the present. Undoubtedly, Kambô constitutes an initiatory experience, embodying the energy of the Warrior at its core—a facet often lacking in contemporary societies.
FAQs
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The impact of kambo is believed to vary based on one's birthplace and life experiences.
Indigenous communities frequently utilize kambo for enhancing fertility, purifying the body and soul, and boosting strength and endurance during hunts. Indigenous individuals often report minimal purging.
Contrastingly, those born and raised outside indigenous settings may encounter distinct effects, such as:
Accelerated heart rate
Decrease in blood pressure
Feverish temperature rise accompanied by shivering, sweating, and dizziness
Sensation of inner swelling as kambo scans the body.
This leads to physical purging, involving vomiting and sometimes defecation, expelling toxins from deep within.
Effects typically last 30-40 minutes, with the initial half being more intense. Swelling, known as "frog face," is common, particularly around the throat, lips, and mouth.
Following the ceremony, individuals report varied effects. While some feel exceptionally alert and vital, others may prefer rest and relaxation.
Regardless of immediate effects, many notice lasting benefits in the days post-ceremony, experiencing elevated mood, improved clarity, focus, and enhanced vitality.
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The pioneering analysis of Kambo in a laboratory was conducted by Vittorio Erspamer, an Italian scientist from the University of Rome. In 1986, Erspamer highlighted its composition as a 'fantastic chemical cocktail with potential medical applications, unparalleled by any other amphibian.'
The key components identified by Erspamer are peptides, crucial for characterizing the functional role of opioid receptors. Nominated twice for a Nobel Prize, Erspamer was also the discoverer of Serotonin. Sixteen peptides have been isolated from the Kambo secretion, and several have been artificially synthesized.
Notably, diverse traditional approaches to taking Kambo have emerged, and practitioners can now explore applications involving Meridians, Chakras, Nadis, Marma Points, and even the ears through Auricular Kambo. Additionally, novel techniques have been developed to enable individuals to experience the benefits of Kambo more gently on their system while still reaping maximum advantages.
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While kambo lacks typical psychedelic effects, some users report mild, short-lasting psychedelic experiences. Combining kambo with substances like rapé or sananga may induce a transient psychedelic effect.
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While the International Association of Kambo Practitioners asserts kambo is safe in capable hands, adverse reactions may occur, often linked to underlying medical conditions. DILI (drug-induced liver injury) is a potential side effect.
Long-term safety data is limited, emphasizing the need for caution and responsible use. Immediate effects include muscle cramps, swelling, and emotional reactions, but these are typically short-lived.
Participation Frequency
Prolonged use within a short timeframe leads to tolerance buildup. While no fixed safety guidelines exist, many practitioners suggest limiting sessions to around 12 per year. Cleansing protocols often precede other ceremonies like ayahuasca.
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Although Kambo generally has no harmful side effects, there are individuals who may find it unsuitable. Specifically, Kambo is not recommended for those with a history of or current experience with the following health conditions:
Brain hemorrhage
Bypass surgery
Enlarged heart
Implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
Pericardial effusion
Severe heart disease
Excess fluid in the pericardium
Heart valve replacement
Organ transplant
Blood clots
Severe mental health problems
Critically low blood pressure requiring medication
Additionally, Kambo is not suitable for individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding a baby under 1 year old. If you have diabetes, it is crucial to engage in a discussion about your treatment plan beforehand.
