About Kambo
History + Science of Kambo
About Kambo
Kambo is the secretion of phyllomedusa bicolor, or the Giant Green Monkey Tree Frog. This nocturnal frog is native to the Upper Amazon, and its population is abundant and stable with no known predators. In fact, the only real threat to the frog is habitat destruction. It has been used for centuries by multiple tribes in the Amazon rainforest.
Contrary to common belief, the frog’s secretion is not known as a “poison”, instead of warding off predators, the secretion’s purpose serves as a moisture barrier for the frog.
Kambo is usually harvested in a way that is harmless to the tree frog. Because of this, it is important to know where your practitioner gets their kambo. I receive mine from the Matses tribe (pictured below) via my certifying body, Kambo International.
Kambo is most easily described as a detoxing purgative. It largely works with the gastrointestinal muscles and blood circulation, and stimulates the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland in the brain. Read about its use and benefits below
Ancient History of Kambo
There are many legends from many tribes – but the most well known one is that of the Kaxianawá tribe from the Northern Amazon Basin in Brazil. This Kaxinawá legend tells that the Indians of the tribe were very ill and their medicine man/Pajé had tried everything to cure them. Nothing helped.
On an Ayahuasca journey, he entered the forest and whilst there received a visit from a female spirit of the forest. She brought in her hands a frog, from which she took a white secretion, and taught the Pajé how to apply it. Returning to the tribe and following the guidelines he had received, the Pajé was able to cure his brothers and sisters. From then on he was known as Pajé Kampu or Kampum.
When he passed on, his spirit lived on in the frog, where it continued its mission to protect the health of those who defend the forest. The secretion became known as Kambo but in some tribes it is called Sapo, Dow-Kiet, Kampu or Vacina da Floresta.
Usage spread, and for thousands of years, Kambo has been used as medicine by the Kaxinawá people, and by many other indigenous groups including the Amahuaca, Katukina, Kulina, Yawanawá, Matses, Marubo and Mayoruna. It is still used widely amongst indigenous people in the Amazon to this day.
From Kambo International
Although kambo has been observed by Westerners for decades, the first scientist to study kambo was twice Nobel nominated Vittorio Erspamer - the same scientist who discovered serotonin. It was Erspamer that learned kambo contains a mixture of potent bioactive and neuroactive peptides that host a wide range of benefits and treatment opportunities for humans. In the 80s, Espamer wrote that kambo contains a “fantastic chemical cocktail with potential medical applications, unequalled by any other amphibian”.
Although kambo on its own is an alternative modality, the Western world utilizes kambo pharmaceutically by isolating and synthesizing its peptides. In fact, there are over 70 patents lodged on kambo and its peptides, mainly in the United States and EU.
Kambo has been rapidly growing in popularity in recent years as studies behind its uses and anecdotes grow. People all over the world serve kambo, some who trained in the rainforest, some who trained with certifying bodies. As kambo grows in popularity, so do its application methods. Many people (including myself) administer kambo to meridian points, chakra points, and auricular or ear points. On the left, you can see a photo of a “traditional treatment”, where the secretion is placed on the left arm.
Modern History & Use of Kambo
Kambo’s Bioactive and Neuroactive Peptides
Adenoregulin - A 33 amino acid peptide that works with the adenosine receptor. This antibiotic peptide can have harm-reducing effects against a myriad of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, including cancer cells.
Dermaseptin - Induces potent antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeast, fungi, protozoa, and enveloped viruses that often cause severe opportunistic infections.
Dermorphin - Dermorphin has an opiate like effect on mu-opioid receptors, making it a very potent painkiller with effects 30-40 times stronger than morphine.
Deltorphin - Deltorphin is also a powerful painkiller and delta opioid agonist.
Phyllomedusin - A neuropeptide that has a powerful effect on intestines and bowels, contributing to the purging often experienced when taking kambo.
Phyllokinin - This neuropeptide can cause a long lasting reduction in blood pressure.
Phyllocaerulein - Another potent painkiller that reduces blood pressure and affects thermoregulation.
Tryptophyllins - Highly potent against the yeast candida, may have potential in cardiovascular, inflammatory and anticancer therapy.
Kambo Uses
Kambos’s peptide contents have the potential to provide treatment for the following ailments:
depression and anxiety
drug addiction/dependency
autoimmune diseases, such as Lyme, HIV, MS, etc.
viral issues & viral load, including Herpes, sickness, etc.
impotence, fertility issues, and libido
parasites
fungal infections
chronic digestive issues
migraines and headaches
lethargy
vascular issues
cancer/tumors
chronic imbalances
detox & cleansing
preparation for plant medicine ceremony, such as ayahuasca,
