Kambo, also known as Sapo or Dow-kiet, is the natural skin secretion of the giant green monkey tree frog, known by its scientific name Phyllomedusa bicolor (Phyllomedusa meaning “tree guardian”), which lives in the rainforests of the Amazon Rainforest in Peru and Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana, Suriname and Venezuela. This frog has no natural predators, and the IUCN database lists them in the “least concern” category due to their wide distribution and large population.
“A Kaxinawá legend tells that the Indians of the tribe were very ill and their Shaman Kampu had done everything that was possible to cure them. All medicinal herbs known were used, but none helped. Kampu then entered the forest and under the effect of sacred plant medicines, received a visit from the Great Spirit. He brought in His hands a frog, from which He took a white secretion, and taught Kampu how to apply it. Returning to the tribe and following the guidelines that he had received the Shaman Kampu was able to cure his brothers. After his death, the spirit of Pajé Kampu started living in the frog where it continued its mission to protect the health of those who defend the forest. The Indians continue to use its secretion to stay active and healthy. The secretion became known as Kambo but in some tribes it is called Sapo, Kampu or Vacina da Floresta. Its usage spread and it is still used widely amongst indigenous people in the Amazon to this day although the rituals vary from tribe to tribe.”
How Is Kambo Harvested?
“The frogs can be found in trees near the Igarapés (rainforest waterways) where they gather to sing and announce the rain. They are generally harvested at dawn by the Indians who also sing and imitate the frogs’ song. The frogs are very passive and do not react when picked up, possibly because they have no predators. The frogs are carefully tied by each leg with Palha strips (straw) into an X shape. Sometimes a female shaman will massage the toes to encourage the secretion which is then carefully scraped off and left to dry on small sticks. After it is released the frog returns to its habitat none the worse for wear. The Palha leaves a tiny white line on each leg which stops anyone from harvesting the frog again until it has faded which takes at least 3 months. The frog is never harmed but treated with utmost care and respect as the Indians believe that to harm the frog will anger the animal spirits that they live so closely with. Kambo collected in this way is considered 100% ethically harvested. We use the freshest Kambo from Peru that is harvested in this way.” The Kambo used by Kambo Nomad is sourced directly and fairly from the Matses tribe in the Amazonian jungle, and the IAKP work closely with them through the Matses Fund.
What Is It Used For?
Tribes such as the Matses, Kaxinawas, Katukinas and Yawanawas have used this remedy for thousands of years, as a potent way to cleanse, strengthen and energize the minds and bodies of hunters, as a natural remedy for various types of infections and also as a way to clear away dark or negative energies. Traditionally, it is used medicinally for: malaria, snake bites, fevers, infections, fertility problems, to cleanse, detox and strengthen the mind and body, to increase energy and stamina and to reduce pain.
Modern uses
More recently, Kambo has started being used all over the world as a natural substance to help support all sorts of physical and psychological health issues, and many swear by its healing potential. “Kambo is one of the strongest natural anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and anaesthetic found in the world and one of the strongest, natural ways to strengthen the immune system. It also detoxes the liver and the intestines so it’s a powerful cleanser if you have drunk large amounts of alcohol or taken lots of drugs/medication in the past. Immediate and short term effects include enhanced mood, alertness, focus, energy and increased resistance to stress, tiredness, hunger and thirst. The mind becomes still, you feel lighter, happier and everything becomes easier to manage. In the longer term, Kambo empowers the immune system, rousing the body’s defence systems to their natural functions so that existing health problems are improved or resolved and future ones are less likely to occur. In spiritual terms, Kambo is a light that opens the way, helping us to overcome obstacles and release blockages on an emotional level. It clears our energy field and realigns the chakras enabling us to break negative habits and think more naturally.”
What is in the Kambo secretion?
The Kambo secretion contains a wide range of substances including amines, peptides, proteins, steroids and alkaloids, all of which are also found in the human body. There are currently many research projects within universities, research establishments and pharmaceutical companies to identify the chemical composition of Kambo and look into the possible medicinal uses of these components. Research has shown that the secretion contains a unique and highly complex cocktail of bioactive and neuroactive peptides, several of which have been identified, synthesized and are the subject of more than 70 patents, and these peptides are what gives Kambo its unique healing ability.
Peptides are organic compounds formed by linking one or more amino acids and are the building blocks of all of life, including the human body. A bioactive peptide is an amino acid chain that performs a specific biological function that has a positive impact on the human body. A neuroactive peptide is one that helps neurons communicate with each other and influence activities in the brains and body.
How do the peptides work on the body?
Kambo is a natural substance recognized by the body. When administered, the active peptides bind to receptors at the cellular level with no stress to the cells (unlike pharmaceutical substances) and some specific peptides effortlessly cross the brain-blood barrier. This has the potential to bring powerful healing wherever it is needed in the body and brain. The various peptides identified have been shown in multiple studies to have many beneficial properties, namely antimicrobial (antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic), anesthetic (pain-relieving) and antihypertensive (lowering blood pressure) effects. They also reduce inflammation and cell oxidation and can be very helpful in stimulating the immune system. This has the potential to be helpful for the treatment, prevention and mitigation of various psychological and physical conditions, and research is ongoing to uncover the healing powers of Kambo.
Some of the peptides found in Kambo are phyllocaerulein, phyllokinin, phyllomedusin, phylolitorin, dermorphin, dermaseptin, adenoregulin, deltorphin and tryptophyllin.
Phyllocaerulein (caeruleins family): neuropeptide which acts as a potent analgesic, produces strong smooth muscle contraction, reduces blood pressure, regulates satiety, sedation and thermoregulation.
Phyllokinin (bradykins family): neuropeptide which causes a long-lasting reduction in blood pressure.
Phyllomedusin (tachykinins family): neuropeptide which is a vasodilator, strongly affecting the salivary glands, tear ducts, intestines and bowels.
Phyllolitorin (bombesins family): neuropeptide active in the central and peripheral nervous system, stimulating gastric acid and smooth muscle contraction.
Dermorphin (sauvagine family): peptide with potent opiate-like effect on mu-type opioid receptors, with potent depressive and analgesic effects, known to be 30-40 times more potent than morphine.
Dermaseptin (dermaseptin family): peptide with strong antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeast, fungi, protozoa, enveloped viruses and various filamentous fungi responsible for opportunistic infections.
Adenoregulin (dermaseptin B2): peptide which interacts with the adenosine receptor, a fundamental component in all human cell fuel, which was shown to be very effective in killing cancer cells.
Deltorphin (deltorphin family): peptide which is a delta opioid agonist and powerful painkiller.
Tryptophyllin: peptide found to be highly potent against the yeast Candida Albicans.
See the Relevant Links page to access scientific research articles and media articles providing more information on the peptides found in Kambo and their potential and reported benefits.
Kambo sessions are not for the faint of heart, quite literally, and yet they can rapidly provide a powerful way to detox and restore balance in the body, the mind and the spirit. Kambo is legal all around the world, it is not a hallucinogenic substance and it can safely be administered by a knowledgeable practitioner.
Please note that IAKP Kambo Practitioners and Kambo Nomad are not medical practitioners and do not give medical advice or make diagnoses. Please consult your primary health care professional with any concern relating to your physical and mental health.