About | kambomedicinasagrada

About Kambô

Kambô, also known as kampu, sapo, vacino da floresta, comes from the waxy secretion of the Giant Leaf Tree Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor ) which lives in the northwestern Amazon in the borderlands between Colombia, Peru and Brazil. This medicine was originally used by the Matses and probably the Huni Kuin (Kaxinawá), Katukina, Ashaninkas and probably other tribes in that area, but since it's discovery by rubber tappers it's use has spread widely in Brazil and more recently across the world. The Matses call it Dow Kiet or Sapo in Spanish (which translates as Toad, although it is properly a frog). Kambo is collected by capturing the frogs which hide in the trees but can be located by mimicking their call (a dog-like bark). The frogs are quite passive and will only release their venom when aggravated, so they are tied in a X and prodded until they do so. The venom is scraped off the skin with a wooden stick then allowed to dry. Like this it will keep for a couple of years if stored correctly, although it does loose potency with time. After collection of the medicine, the frog is released unharmed. In fact it is considered bad luck to harm the frogs and, if a hunter does so, they will cease to return his call and so prevent him from collecting more. To reactivate the medicine small doses are prepared with a little water (traditionally salvia).

The Kambo we use comes from the area around Iquitos and is collected by a friend and jungle guide who learned directly from the Matses. The Kambo from this area is supposed to be the strongest and only the first secretions are collected (over-milking, which is common among commercial collectors, leads to a much weaker medicine and also leaves the frog vunerable).

Scientific research on the frog secretion started in the late 1980’s after Peter Gorman's account caught the attention of Vittorio Erspamer, a scientist at the FIDIA Research Institute of Neurosciences at the University of Rome "whose groundbreaking work with the medicine would yield more than six dozen new proteins, all of which are bioactive—meaning they work in humans as if the human body had produced them—opening up an entirely new branch of study in Western medicine: the study of amphibian proteins as curatives in humans".

Kambo Application and Effects

"Kambo stimulates a strong physical purge while toxins and ‘bad luck’ or ‘panema’ are eliminated from body and spirit"

The Kambo is applied to superficial burns on the skin. A small stick is made red hot and just the very top layer of the skin (containing only dead skin cells) is burned and then rubbed off to reveal the absorbant layer beneath. Kambo is then applied onto the burn sites and is absorbed into the body. The number of burns/applications given varies depending on the physical condition, size, weight of the person and their previous experience with Kambo.

The most common way to apply Kambo is on the shoulder where the medicine can quickly enter the bloodstream due to its proximity to the subclavian vein and the heart. When the full dose is applied rapidly it normally results in a strong purge in the form of profuse vomiting (often a yellow or greenish color that indicates a large amount of toxicity), while people who have intestinal problems will probably experience diarrhoea of short duration that cleans the intestines. This purging results in a cleansing of toxins and negative energies from the depths of the body. Other effects may include dizziness or feeling spaced out, the occasional person will shake or even pass out, while some will sweat profusely. Often the lips swell temporarily and the cheeks contract. These strong effects generally decrease after 10 or more minutes and are followed by a period of relaxation during which the medicine seeks out and corrects functional problems within the body, for example within the organs and hormonal, nervous and circulatory systems. For this reason it is important to rest afterwards so that deep healing processes can finish its work unhindered.

Another method, preferred for chronic and debilitating diseases, is gentler but the healing goes much deeper. The dosage is applied slowly over a period of 10 to 30 minutes, often to the leg or specific energy sites associated with the main area of the problem, for example, acupuncture points. This induces relaxation from the beginning and allows the medicine to enter directly into the organs and the nervous and glandular systems. Often, the double dose can be applied in this way without causing strong reactions.

When the medicine has been fully absorbed it is removed and the burns dressed with Sangre de Drago, a natural sap from the tree that speeds healing. The burn marks will heal and fade with time but depending on skin colour and type there may always be small visible scars. Most people see their Kambo scars as a badge of honour. The same points can be reused after a time.

Benefits

Health Benefits of Kambo

Kambo is the probably the fastest and most efficient way to clear deep seated toxins from the body. This alone has enormous health benefits, enabling the body to work more optimally and frees energy to begin a process of healing. Kambo is also used to fortify the immune system*, increasing resistance to infectious illness and speeding recovery should an infection get hold. Because of this, Kambo is often called the "Vaccine of the Jungle", however it cannot give complete immunity to disease, nothing can, but people who take it regularly do show a markedly higher resistance to infection. However Kambo has benefits which go far beyond this. Kambo is an extremely complex chemical cocktail of over 72 bio-active peptides, including bradykinins, tachykinins, caerulein, sauvagine, tryptophyllins, dermorphins, and bombesins. In many ways, it is a "smart medicine", targeting those parts of the body which need it most - a veritable universal panacea! The effects of Kambo can be felt in the nervous and hormonal systems, in improved digestion and bowel health, liver and kidney function (including the elimination of stones), in respiration and cardio-vascular health, heightened energy reserves and rapid acclimatization to high altitudes. Sapo peptides have a wide range of potential medical uses: treatment of brain diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinson, depression, migraines, blood circulation problems, vascular insufficiency, organ diseases, cancer, fertility problems in women, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and more.

However Kambo is not just a wonderful medicine for the physical body, it also works on an emotional and energetic level, ridding the body of negative energy or "panema" (bad luck) and cleansing the channels (meridians) and centres (chakras). It can also clear emotional traumas and unpick negative conditioning in a similar way to Ayahuasca. It's use certainly seems to engender a more positive outlook on life and emotional stability, improves alertness, focus and the ability to concentrate.

* Kambo also appears to regulate the immune system and is therefore helpful where there is over-function such as allergies.

Back, Joint and Muscular Problems

Kambo contains some very powerful pain-killers, anti-inflammatories and muscle-relaxants. When combined with Bowen Therapy and applied to specific points on the body, Kambo is proving to be truly remarkable in the treatment of back and muscular problems (more information)

Contraindications

Contraindications (when taking Kambo can be dangerous or injurious to health)

Our first concern is for the health of the individual, therefore we WILL NOT give Kambo under the following circumstances:-

Serious heart problems, congestive heart disease, excess fluid in the heart sack, enlarged heart, pericardial effusion or have had bypass surgery, heart valve replacement surgery or implanted cardioverter defibrillator.
Low blood pressure that requires medication.
History of stroke, brain haemorrhage, aneurisms or blood clots.
Undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy or for 4 weeks after treatment ceases.
Taking immune-suppressants
Organ transplant
Addison’s Disease
Epilepsy
Clinically diagnosed psychotic episode within the last 12 months
During convalescence after a major surgical procedure
During first trimester of pregnancy (see below)

Other Medicines: You must advise us if you are taking any medication, regardless of whether it has been prescribed by a doctor or over-the-counter (includes high dose vitamins and minerals). Some medications are contraindicated with Kambo or need to be handled carefully and failure to inform us could result in harm to yourself. Because of the complexities involved, people taking prescribed medication can only be treated in individual sessions.

Pregnancy: Kambo is not recommended during pregnancy and is STRICTLY PROHIBITED within the first trimester. It is generally not a suitable treatment for this time of life as the risks usually outweigh the benefits. It is only worth considering this treatment if it is absolutely necessary.

Breastfeeding: If you are breastfeeding then it is important to avoid giving breast for 24 hours after treatment and either use formula or express a day's supply before receiving Kambo.

Menstrual Cycle: Although Kambo is a beneficial treatment for period problems, it is best avoided during the period itself as the medicine dilates the blood vessels and could therefore cause haemorrhage or excessively heavy bleeding. A treatment a week before and a week after cessation of bleeding is advised.

Asthma: inform us prior to treatment and ensure that you have an inhaler with you.

Allergies: If you suffer from allergies we may decide it is better to give a test application initially to confirm you can tolerate this medicine.

Preparing For Kambo