KAMBO
Kambô therapy uses a special resinous secretion from the back of the Amazonian tree frog, Phyllomedusa bicolor. It’s applied to the body by placing it on tiny burns made in the skin, so that it can access the lymphatic system. Lots of Amazonian tribes use Kambô to clear out stuck energy, which they refer to as "Panema" as they believe it can cause illness and block clarity when hunting.
Kambô can assist with issues like lethargy and emotional struggles. It’s seen as a holistic remedy that taps into physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
A little history...
The use of Kambo originated among various indigenous tribes of the Amazon basin, particularly the Katukina, Kaxinawa, Matsés, Mayoruna, and Yawanawá peoples. These tribes have used the secretion for possibly thousands of years as a traditional medicine. Indigenous shamans would collect the waxy secretion from the frog's skin after capturing it from its natural habitat in the rainforest canopy.
For these Amazonian tribes, kambo served multiple purposes. Warriors used it as a "hunting magic to increase stamina, strength, and focus before hunting expeditions. Shamans administered it to treat various ailments, from malaria and snake bites to fever and infections. The ritual was also believed to purify the body and spirit, bringing luck and clearing "panema" - a concept describing negative energy or bad luck that affects hunting and everyday life.
Each of the five Amazonian tribes mentioned above (Katukina, Kaxinawa, Matsės, Mayoruna, and Yawanawa) has its own distinct origin story regarding kambo, though some elements overlap due to cultural exchange and shared forest environments.
...the West meets Kambo
Western awareness of Kambo began in the 1980s, largely attributed to journalist Peter Gorman, who experienced the ritual during his expeditions to the Amazon. Gorman first encountered Kambo in 1986 while living with the Matsés tribe and later wrote about his experiences in publications like Omni magazine, introducing many Westerners to the practice. You can easily access his story in his book "Sapo in My Soul".
Another key figure in Kambo's Western emergence was Italian photojournalist Vittorio Erspamer, who studied the biochemical properties of the frog secretion the 600 research identified powerful peptides in Kambo that showed potential ant analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The 1990s saw increased scientific interest in Kambo's bioactive compounds. Researchers identified over 70 peptides in the secretion. These compounds interact with various receptors in the human body, affecting the cardiovascular, digestive, neurological, and immune systems.
This research sparked interest in pharmaceutical applications, though no Kambo-derived drugs have yet gained widespread medical approval.
Expansion in the West
Kambo's significant movement into Western alternative health circles began in the early 2000s. Francisco Gomes Filho, a former rubber tapper known as Tabatinga, began introducing non-indigenous people to kambo. After receiving permission from the Katukina tribe, he started the International Association of Kambo (IAKP) along with Karen Darke and they invited many of the most experienced practitioners in the world to be part of its beginning, some of whom agreed. The IAKP has changed a lot in time, but still faces many issues associated with balancing appropriation issues with the need to adapt the practices for Western bodies and minds.
Around the same time, Europeans like Giovanni Lattanzi and Sonia Rapacioli established the first formal Kambo training programs for non-indigenous practitioners. These pioneers developed protocols adapted for Westerners while attempting to honour traditional indigenous methods.
By the mid-2000s, Kambo ceremonies had spread throughout Europe, with centres opening in countries like the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. The practice reached the United States, Australia, and other Western countries by the 2010s, often associated with circles exploring other Amazonian practices and traditional ceremonies.
What's in Kambo?
Kambô is packed with various bioactive peptides that scientists are excited about. Different research companies have even patented some of these compounds, hoping to harness their healing potential. Some of these important peptides include:
**Phyllocaerulein**: Helps with gut flow, increases stomach acid, and can lower blood pressure.
**Phyllomedusin** and **phyllokinin**: These can help relax blood vessels and affect gut movement, potentially influencing mood and behavior, too.
**Sauvagine**: Boosts adrenal function and can make muscles contract.
**Dermaseptin B2**: Works against microbes and may even help fight cancer. *
*Adenoregulin**: Affects important neurotransmitters like adenosine and serotonin. *
*Deltorphin** and **Dermorphin**: These act as natural pain relievers and help muscles relax. T
here’s been plenty of research into these peptides, showing they can have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving effects.
Kambô encourages your body to boost its immune defences and flush out toxins via the liver, intestines, and skin. In the Amazon, it’s considered an energetic medicine believed to refresh your body’s cells and clear away negative energy.
Many people have shared their positive experiences with Kambô, finding relief from issues like fatigue, addiction, allergies, phobias, fertility challenges, depression, and more. Since many health problems are linked to energy blockages, Kambô can help unlock those blocks and restore balance, with results that can range from slight improvements to major transformations.
Our Ceremonies
My ceremonial Kambo sessions are designed to help people tackle wellness issues tied to energetic blockages: physical, emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual. Ceremonies are currently offered as a one-to-one and are held in a sacred way to ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe. The duration of a session is generally between 3 and 4 hours.
