Despite the increasing use of Kambo across the world this last decade, I am still surprised by how many people have never heard of it. Largely, I consider this to be a good thing. Given its nature, source and sacredness, Kambo is not a medicine we want to see go mainstream. Having said that, we do want it to be accessible to those who may need it. We also want to reduce the amount of disinformation out there, claiming that such medicines have no place in the western world. After 7 years of practice, I can assure you that this is clearly not the case. Furthermore, with the strong physiological changes we are experiencing in today’s environment, it is a powerful way to cleanse the body and bring increased clarity, sharpness and vitality to your system.
You will find more information about Kambo on our first podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2101687/11903420
So what is Kambo?
Kambo is a sacred secretion collected from the Phyllomedusa Bicolor, a
waxy, green tree frog found in the Amazon Rainforest in the regions of Boliva, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, French Guiana, Suriname and Venezuela. The frogs are beautiful and passive creatures that have formed a symbiotic relationship with the Amazonian tribes. In recent years several of these tribes have generously shared Kambo and other medicines with us to help with our healing.
The Kaxinawa tribe of Brazil call Kambo the Medicine of the Heart due to its ability to activate the hearts energy and ground us in feelings of openness and peace.
As members of the IAKP, Hazel and myself have been trained and initiated to work with Kambo and to serve according to the Shamanic tradition. One of the questions we are often asked is whether the frogs are harmed during the collection of Kambo. It is an important enquiry. Sadly, there are some who do not harvest the medicine ethically and it is our duty as practitioners never to buy a stick without knowing its origin. The IAKP was formed as a non-profit organisation to protect Kambo and the tribes from overharvesting and misuse. Our medicine is sourced from the Matses tribe of Peru, whose relationship to the frog is extremely sacred and harm to the frogs would anger the animal spirits and cause damage to their way of life. The process of collection is beautiful to witness. The natives sing, mimicking the frogs call, until they climb down from the trees and often into their hands. Each frog is then delicately tied by each leg with straw strings into an X shape, sometimes with a female Shaman massaging their toes to encourage the secretion, which is collected on to dry sticks. Once released no medicine will be harvested from that particular frog for at least three months.
How does Kambo work?
Our bodies produce rather wonderful things called peptides – a short chain of amino acids most commonly known as endorphins, serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin to name a few, plus our natural antibiotics. Kambo contains a cocktail of unique bioactive peptides that synchronise with our biology, drawing toxins from the cells and washing them into the stomach. Each of these peptides has a unique and deeply cleansing effect, with one (dermoseptin) having even been found to kill cancer cells. One might consider Kambo like a washing detergent, cleansing the toxins from your system. 1.5-2 litres of water are consumed prior to application and once the medicine is active, you proceed to purge out your own bodily waste. This deep level cleanse is incredibly healing for the body, mind and spirit, hence why Kambo is known to be so effective for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual disorder.
We are delighted to be bringing the frog to Whitstable and offer private and group ceremonies at Shakti Den.
Further information is available via the links below or you can speak to Charlotte or Hazel directly by email.
Charlotte: thekambospirit@gmail.com
Further Information :
IAKP website for general information about Kambo:
I recommend reading this article which gives and excellent overview of Kambo and includes an interview with Master Practitioner and IAKP founder Karen Kanya-Darke:
And this tells you a little more about the science stuff:
Much love,
Charlotte xxx