What is Kambo?

Kambo, a traditional shamanic practice, uses the secretion of the giant green monkey tree frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) from the Amazon to bring about a deep physical, emotional, energetic and spiritual cleansing process. Indigenous tribes have used this frog poison for centuries. Warriors used it to increase stamina, strength and clarity, as well as to bring luck and other good things upon themselves. Oral traditions also report of a time when the power of kambo to heal a community was revealed to a shaman in a vision induced by Ayahuasca, a traditional spiritual medicine of the Amazon. According to legend, kambo takes its name from a legendary medicine man, Kampu, who divined its healing potential from a forest spirit. Like many other substances with origins in medicinal use performed by shamans, kambo is still used today in ceremonies. Known also as a kambo cleanse, or sometimes just kambo, the kambo ceremony is an essential part of the entire healing experience.

“Kambo is alive. Therefore, it has spirit,” “Alive because nature made it, through the frog. It is complete and perfect, not a dead component like the drugs we get prescribed. Since the medicine comes from life itself, it also works from where it begins; in the heart”.

Proponents believe that the kambo can purify the physical body of toxic substances, as well as purify the mind and spirit of negative energy. They also claim that the ritual can:

• bring luck

• increase stamina

• cure physical ailments

Some proponents believe that kambo can treat the following:

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Parkinson’s disease

• cancer

• infertility

• chronic pain

• depression

• anxiety

• migraines

• infections

• addiction

The kambo experience

After tiny, superficial burn points are made on the skin, the frog secretion is applied. Through the lymphatic system, it travels to the heart to bring one back to a balanced, natural state before moving to the body parts which need it most, restoring wholeness. “People perceive this as intense heat. – Lucev explains – Sometimes they get cramps or feel pain in the body, until they reach a point where they feel so nauseated they need to purge. With the purge comes relief, and the completion of the ceremony. Yet, the medicine continues to work.”

Kambo purifies, detoxifies, cleanses and reboots the immune system. “From a metaphysical perspective, since frogs can’t endure toxic environments, it challenges us to release emotions like anger, hatred and bitterness; emotions holding us back. It brings about restoration, renewal, transformation, and even metamorphosis”.

Benefits of the tree frog medicine

Short-term effects include mental clarity, heightened awareness, general well-being, feeling centred and a deeper connection with ourselves. In the long run, we get rid of panema (dark or negative energies), bad luck, and wellness continues to increase.

However, we should be cautious with generalisations as every experience and person is unique. When Lucev works with people who have cancer, suffer from trauma or other serious conditions, she makes it clear that there is a path to be undertaken. “Sometimes, we have to go into dark places before we can see the light. Or actually, be courageous enough to bring our own light into those places. Kambo helps us clear this path”.

“Whenever we’re closer to ourselves, we’re closer to nature, or to what sometimes people refer to as God. So the moment we clear up the obstacles separating us from this recognition, be it physical pain and conditions, emotional patterns, thought patterns and beliefs, all states of disease and discomfort disappear. We’re then able to experience happiness, joy and peace. This is what kambo is trying to help us with, to remove those obstacles.”

How to prepare for kambo Medicine

You may be contraindicated to receiving Kambo if you are:

Pregnant or may become pregnant

Nursing a child under 6 months

Have taken 5-meo-DMT or Bufo in the last 4 weeks

Have had serious heart problems such as bipass surgery, valve replacement, or any open chest surgery (Stints okay, mild heart attacks okay)

Have had a stroke or blood clot

Have had a brain aneurism

Are taking low blood pressure medication

Have Addison’s disease

Have gone through chemotherapy within the last 4 weeks

Have a severe mental illness (Depression and anxiety are okay!)

Are taking immunosuppressant drugs for an organ transplant.

Are under 18 years old

MEDICATIONS

Be sure to report any medications or herbal supplements you may be on. Do not take any supplements or medications unless medically necessary the day of the ceremony. Some herbs or medicines may need to be avoided for a couple of days prior to treatment. Some medications/supplements are contraindicated and may have a risk for interactions with the Kambo.

SUPPLEMENTS

Avoid any supplements the day of your Kambo treatment. Avoid taking any medication the day of prior to your Kambo treatment unless absolutely necessary. They will likely be purged out and wasted. You can resume your regular medication regime after the session. Avoid 5HTP, dieting pills, and melatonin supplements for 3 days prior to your session if possible.

FOOD AND WATER:

It is ideal to fast at least 8 hours before the Kambo ceremony. If your ceremony is in the morning, No breakfast, coffee, caffeinated tea or juice. Abstain from any supplements or medications unless necessary. You can resume medications after session. If ceremony is in the evening, only eat a light vegetarian breakfast (eggs okay), no food after 10 am.

Water, coconut water, herbal tea w/ honey, electrolytes, and salt added to water are okay.

DO NOT DRINK EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF WATER prior to arriving to your session.

DO NOT ABSTAIN FROM SALT IN THE DAYS BEFORE YOUR SESSION.

Before administering the Kambo treatment, you will be asked to drink approximately 2 liters of water to allow for easy purging and cleansing. This water will be purged out. Drinking too much water more than 15 minutes before the application of the kambo can dilute electrolyte concentrations in the body and cause a serious condition called hyponatremia. Hydrate normally throughout the day, but don’t over drink.

DIET

Days prior and following the Kambo, It is recommended to adopt a clean diet to reduce any toxic burden on the body. Avoid alcohol, dairy, sugar, and spicy food. SALT IS OKAY. Eat whole, nourishing organic food before and after to best support your body in it’s detox process afterwards. there is no traditional “Dieta” with Kambo and it is not crucial to follow a strict diet before or after the session.

WHAT TO BRING:

*1 gallon of filtered, room-temperature, neutral pH water. Please do not bring Alkaline or distilled water.

– A water bottle or large cup for drinking

.- Comfortable clothing that allows for exposed access to area of treatment (low back, shoulder, neck etc). A change of clothes is recommended. Accidents do happen and it’s nice to have some clean clothes to change into.

-A hair tie to tie back long hair.

-The remaining balance to your contribution.

It is recommended to not wear dangling jewelry such as necklaces or earrings that may get in the way. Also, if you wear contact lenses, it is suggested that you remove them to 1) receive sananga eye drops and 2) avoid any pain if swelling of the eyes occurs.

Aftercare

Depending on the state of your health and how many Kambo treatments you have had, you may feel a variety of aftereffects. Many people will experience increased energy, uplifted mood, reduced stress, and improvement in pain, stamina, cognition and other medical conditions. However, you may not feel amazing right away. Feeling very sluggish after the first few treatments is quite common. Often times this can be attributed to something called the herxeimer effect or “Die off” symptoms. Kambo is potently anti-microbial and has a massive antibiotic effect on organisms in the body. As the organisms die, they burst open and release a number of toxic substances that the body has to filter out and detoxify. This can produce feelings of lethargy, depression, aches and pains, insomnia, and intestinal irritation. This is a very common reaction and will usually last between 1-7 days depending on the person. It is a good sign that the kambo is working and shuttling out toxins. This after-effect usually gets shorter and shorter each time and usually passes after multiple treatments.

It is not uncommon to feel disoriented or overwhelmed by certain aspects of life after your session. You may feel highly sensitive, or have emotions bubble up to the surface. You may receive messages loud and clear about how certain toxic relationships, jobs, behaviors or settings are not serving you. Sometimes these insights can be disruptive to our lives as we bulldoze our cottage to build a castle. There are a number of integration support resources for those who need it, and Caitlin is always available for support as well.

Be sure to nourish your body with healthy food and allow your self to get lots of rest. Ideally, you should not plan anything important directly after your session so that you have ample time to recover and integrate your experience. Avoid alcohol, inflammatory food, stress, and overexertion. Your body will be working hard to detox so do your best to avoid burdening it with any additional toxicity or stress. Allow your self time for self-care and naps.

If nausea, vomiting, headache or dizziness continues hours after the treatment, please contact us immediately.

OTHER MEDICINES:

You will have the option before and after your session to partake in the use of råpe and sananga. These are both traditional Amazonian medicines that have been used safely in conjunction with Kambo by the tribes of the Amazon.

RÅPE

Råpe (pronounced hape) is a snuff that is generally a combination of tobacco, ash and various other plants, seeds, flowers, herbs etc. It is blown up the nostrils where it rapidly gets absorbed through the sinus’. Råpe is used during Kambo treatments when there is an energetic blockage, and can be used to induce purging. It is also used prior to receiving Kambo to help ground energy, clear any chaotic buzz, and focus in on our intention.

SANANGA

Sananga is made from the Amazonian plant Tabernaemontana undulate. The fermented extract contains various alkaloids, including ibogaine-like compounds. It is administered as eye drops. Sananga has been used traditionally to improve visions in the third eye, as well as treat a number of ocular conditions in the eyes. It contains powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that improve eye health. It is believed to clear “Panema” or bad luck/negative energy. One drop is placed in each eye while lying down. Sananga causes an intense burning sensation for a about a minute, but dissipates quickly. The experienced is usually over within 5-10 minutes. Afterwards the individual has improved vision, groundedness, relaxation and sense of spiritual clarity.