"Ive seen people cure Lyme disease, overcome addictions, get off psych meds, finally get pregnant, reverse narcolepsy, heal their relationships, and so much more." ~Jason Fellows, Tribal Detox~
Kambo is a powerful form of natural peptide therapy. It is a humanely harvested secretion from the Amazonian tree frog, Phyllomedusa Bicolor, meaning guardian of the leaves.
A biological phenomenon, it is composed of many bioactive peptides. These peptides have the ability to penetrate our cells effortlessly, eliminating residues left by foreign substances without causing stress. The body perceives Kambo as natural, bypassing the defense system of the outer cell walls. In this way, it can also pass through the blood-brain barrier, a very rare quality in a therapeutic substance. This allows healing to occur within the brain.
Benefits of Kambo
Physically:
Individuals dealing with autoimmune conditions have found significant relief following Kambo treatments. The anti-inflammatory nature of Kambo can help to address most physical diseases, as inflammation is the root cause in many cases. Kambo is also used for physical endurance and stamina and helps to support fitness.
Emotionally & Psychologically:
There is a special quality about Kambo that helps to release deep, stuck emotions. It can loosen trauma, PTSD, anxiety and depression. Kambo supports creating (and maintaining) healthy new patterns and brings a sense of renewal to the psyche.
Spiritually:
Kambo helps to release what is stuck. It can be a feeling of being directionless, disconnected or ungrounded. It can help align us with our spiritual nature and maintain that connection to support us throughout our life. Kambo is also very helpful to work with in preparation for taking plant medicine, as it clears out debris in order for the master plants to reach a deeper layer.
What does a session look like?
We begin our work together with a phone call to discuss your health conditions, potential contraindications and goals, then make a plan on how to best prepare for your Kambo session, for example, detox or diet recommendations. We begin the session with a breathing practice to calm the nervous system, oxygenate the body and ground into the space. If it is our first time together, we will start with a single “test point” to gauge your sensitivity to ensure the correct dosage. Kambo can be likened to a 20 minute flu-like experience. You will experience increased heart rate, heat and circulation during the first 5-7 minutes. This is followed by a drop in blood pressure. If purging (vomiting) is going to occur, this is usually the time that it happens. However, being in a fasted state with only water in the belly eases this process, and it can be very cathartic. After 20 minutes all of the fluids in the body will have had a full cycle of circulation, so we remove the Kambo at this time (unless you prefer to sit with it longer). After this, the symptoms subside and you come out the other side feeling renewed, clear, and at peace. We conclude with a Spinal Flow session to integrate the experience into your nervous system, and assist in further release. Electrolyte drinks and herbal tea as well as something light and nourishing to eat are provided afterward. Kambo is often referred as "warrior medicine" (not only because of its traditional use as an aid for hunters' sensory acuity, but because there is a layer of fear to overcome when deciding to sit with Kambo. It's a challenging experience that can take you to the edge of your comfort zone. This takes courage and is beyond worth the reward! Not all sessions are, or need to be full-dose and purgative. Depending on your condition, we may work with a “layered session” or a microdose, which will be discussed during our consultation.
Supportive Functions of Kambo Peptides
Peptides are chemical messengers that tell our brain and body what to do. Kambo is made of about 10% bio-active peptides, meaning our body recognizes it as ready to use, and doesn't need to digest or de-code it. These peptides are supportive in balancing many bodily systems such as: -Hormone Regulation (stimulates adrenal cortex and pituitary gland) -Gastrointestinal System (gastric/pancreatic secretions and anti-obesity peptides) -Circulatory System (greatly increasing blood flow) -Reproductive System -Cardiovascular system (antihypertensive, antithrombotic, and hypocholesterolemic peptides) -Immune System (antimicrobial, antiviral and immune-modulatory peptides) -Nervous System (opioid peptides 40x stronger than morphine without side effects) Other attributes of these fascinating compounds are their ability to decrease inflammation, inhibit tumor growth and exhibit antifungal properties. This plethora of functions are what lead to Kambo being labeled an incredible detox. It is also a strong purgative and can be likened to a 20 minute flu, where you feel better than when you started. It activates the body’s natural impetus and ability to release and flush out toxins. While the following effects can not be validated scientifically, Kambo is well known for its ability to clear out blockages from the mental, emotional and spiritual bodies of a person. It lifts a veil of suffering and puts wind in the sails to move forward with healthy patterns and life goals. It is an invaluable ally for purging heavy emotional burdens and a feeling of being stuck, leaving one with a sense of peace and clarity. This cathartic process helps with moving forward with a renewed sense of purpose and resilience. An elder teacher from Peru once said, “When you don’t know what to do, do Kambo”.
How is Kambo applied? Kambo is administered through superficial burns in the skin (the first two layers of the epidermis). This allows the kambo to immediately enter the lymphatic system where is it distributed throughout the body. There is no blood.
How long does a session last? From start to finish you can expect your experience to last anywhere from 1.5-2 hours, this includes an abbreviated spinal flow session to recalibrate your nervous system after the kambo is removed. If it is your first time, we usually take a little longer to explain logistics. The Kambo itself is only on the skin for 20 minutes (longer if one chooses) after which, the symptoms subside. Timing for group sessions varies.
How much does session cost? Individual sessions are $200, plus $1/mile of total driving time. Group session prices are based on the number of attendees, please contact for more information.
What are the contraindications? -Serious heart problem -Ehlers-Danlos syndrome -Medication for low blood pressure -History of stroke -History of brain hemorrhage -Aneurism or blood clots -Lack mental capacity to make the decision to take Kambo -Serious mental health problems (excluding depression, PTSD, and anxiety) -Undergoing chemotherapy/radiation therapy or within 4 weeks afterward -Taking immune-suppressants for an organ transplant -Addison’s disease -Current and severe epilepsy -Recovering from a major surgical procedure (within 6 months) -Pregnant, possibly pregnant, or breastfeeding a child under 6 months old -Pancreatitis
What is included in a session? You receive a 30 minute phone consult, rapeh and sananga (optional), kambo, a spinal flow session, nourishing tea , electrolytes and a light snack. I am also available for a follow up & integration check-in.
Is Kambo legal? Yes
Is Kambo safe? Kambo is completely safe when administered by a properly-trained practitioner who is also aware of the contraindications and screens accordingly.
Do I need to follow a special diet prior to Kambo? Preparing for Kambo does not require a special diet. However, as with anything, you get out what you put in. Eating a clean diet, minimizing dairy, sugar and alcohol in the days before and after can help support the detoxification process and give you a head start for your session.
Frequently asked questions
How does Kambo work Kambo is made up of bioactive peptides, which are chemical messengers that tell your brain and body what to do. Since these are recognized as a usable substance by your body, they are instantly utilized and put to work, some even crossing the blood brain barrier. The synergistic effect of Kambo goes beyond the chemistry of peptides, as it works to bring your immune system back into homeostasis. A wonderful mystery about Kambo is its ability to heal the emotions (even in cases of severe trauma and PTSD) as well as provide a renewed sense of spiritual clarity and wellbeing.
Is Kambo ethically harvested? I only use Kambo that is sourced directly from the Cocama and Matses tribes of Peru. It is harvested with reverence and respect, and the frogs are never depleted of their protective secretion, nor are they gathered from too soon after the previous “milking”. This is ensured by marking their leg with a natural dye that fades after a month, when its reserves are naturally replenished.
Will I purge/throw-up? What if I don’t? Most people will purge during a Kambo session. This may be in the form of vomiting up water or bile or using the bathroom (there’s always plenty of time to make it to the restroom, don’t worry!). This is the result of one of the peptides in Kambo and is not necessary in order to have a successful session. The body will continue to remove pathogens in the normal detox pathways and purging is not required to remove them from the system. However, many people often feel an emotional or cathartic release following a purge and find it brings an added layer of release to the experience. Other forms of purging may include sweating, laughing, or crying.
Do the Kambo burns leave marks? Some people have small scars that fade over time. Depending on how your skin typically scars, you may have marks that show, or none at all. The marks can be lessened by applying lavender oil, cocoa butter and avoiding direct sun exposure while they are healing.
Will my face swell? About 1 in 10 people experience swelling of the face. This is due to a peptide found in Kambo which some appear to be more sensitive to than others. The swelling typically reduces shortly after the Kambo is removed, it can be expedited by applying a cool washcloth.
What does Kambo feel like? It is likened to having a 20 minute flu, it is called the warriors medicine for a reason! The first five minutes will bring increased heart rate, blood pressure , circulation and body heat. This is followed by a drop in blood pressure where you may feel cold and begin to feel dizzy or nauseous. There is a wide range of normal when it comes to symptoms of Kambo, and some may experience certain ones while others don’t. The intelligence of the Kambo knows exactly what to do and where to go in your body, and oftentimes there is a message behind the discomfort. The symptoms and discomfort usually subside immediately after removal of the Kambo, which is followed by a deep sense of inner peace and tranquility. The morning after Kambo typically brings a renewed sense of vitality and motivation which can last for weeks, making this a great time to start healthy new patterns and reach goals!
How many sessions do I need? It is a case-by-case scenario. Some do just one session with a specific intention. For the clearing of illnesses, it will take more. In most cases it is ideal to complete 3 sessions in close proximity to get to deeper layers of your disease. From there, if there’s more work to be done, we can formulate a plan that may include maintenance or micro-doses. Many people like to sit with Kambo once every 3-6 months as preventative care and to maintain a strong immune system.
What is your training? I began working with Kambo 10 years ago through self-administration. I then went on the become a certified practitioner with Tribal Detox, an organization renowned for their thorough training in peptide science and safety protocols. I also hold an additional certification in treating Lyme and autoimmune disorders with Kambo from Medicine Frog Kambo, an organization conducting trailblazing scientific research on Kambo.