Modern society is becoming more aware of plant medicines as allies in personal growth, spiritual expansion, and physical healing. The psychedelic renaissance spans from microdosing psilocybin mushrooms and LSD, to ketamine infusions and MDMA-assisted therapy. True devotees of expansion through psychedelics travel into the Amazonian rainforest to experience ayahuasca in multi-day ceremonies. Perhaps slightly lesser-known, but more readily available, is the Amazonian frog medicine known as kambo. Popular across the U.S., kambo ceremonies are a top choice for people looking to step out of their comfort zone and try a new healing modality. At the helm of this operation is a kambo practitioner administering this magic potion to willing participants.
What Is Kambo?
Kambo is a poisonous substance secreted by the giant leaf frog. Also known as the giant monkey frog, the Phyllomedusa bicolor is native to South America and dwells in the dense Amazon canopy. Tribe members and medicine people of the Amazon basin seek out this frog to harvest its poison for use in medicinal rituals, or kambo cleansing. While not technically a psychedelic compound, kambo produces similar effects and results to many other purgative drugs.
Often referred to as a ‘kambo cleanse’ or ‘kambo detox’, the poisonous chemicals in the frog’s secretions are known to induce vomiting, diarrhea, extreme sweating, and dizziness. Upon administration, the participant may feel a tingling or burning sensation at the administration site,
followed by facial swelling or puffiness. While many users report that the experience of kambo can be pretty unpleasant, it’s the aftermath that keeps people coming back for more.
Although there is no scientific evidence to support the physical and mental healing effects of kambo, the anecdotal evidence cannot be dismissed. People report life-altering spiritual shifts, as though a weight has been lifted as the body releases old trauma during the purge. People often turn to kambo ceremonies to alleviate depression, treat a substance use disorder, find relief from chronic pain, and a host of other physical, spiritual and mental ailments. Following a ceremony, participants often report feelings of lightness, with a fresh perspective and general improvement to disposition. This experience is deeply felt by many, however, some people suggest that the positive feelings are simply in response to no longer purging or feeling poison course through one’s body.
The Role of the Kambo Practitioner
A kambo practitioner is a person who administers kambo to participants during a ceremony. But the role is much more involved than simply applying a dose, it involves creating the container in which the participants feel safe, guided, and supported. In the traditional use of kambo in South America, the tribesmen and women who harvest and administer kambo are typically referred to as shamans. These are people whose lineage has been using medicine native to the Amazon for centuries to promote personal healing and a deeper connection to spirit and the earth.
As kambo becomes more mainstream and available in Western society, the use of shamans has shifted towards employing a practitioner. Much like ayahuasca is still given by shamans or curanderos when visiting a retreat center in Peru, kambo is still offered in its native land by indigenous people. However, one need not travel into the jungle to experience the frog warrior cleanse. Kambo is legal in the U.S., and finding a kambo practitioner is fairly simple so long as one looks for a few key qualifications.
How to Administer Kambo
When harvesting kambo, the poison is scraped from the frog’s back onto a wooden or bamboo stick where it dries until use. The set and setting for a kambo ceremony will vary by practitioner and location, but the ritual is generally the same. Participants usually choose the location, although it’s best recommended to administer the medicine onto the upper arm, shoulder, leg, foot, or elsewhere on the back.
To use the kambo, the practitioner will moisten the stick with the dried kambo on it, and scrape it into small portions. Then, the practitioner will clean the area to be used before burning anywhere from three to six small holes on the participant. The holes are superficial and only burn the top layer of skin. The intention of burning the flesh is to allow the medicine to enter the body quickly. Next, the kambo practitioner places a small dot of kambo into the burned hole and lightly presses it into the skin just enough to adhere to the flesh.
The effects take hold quickly as the kambo courses through the body. From here, the kambo practitioner ensures that the participant has a safe space to lie down if needed, as well as provides access to drinking water and a bucket for vomiting. The entire experience may last anywhere from 20-40 minutes, depending on the individual and the dose administered. During this time, the practitioner is constantly monitoring the well-being of each participant.
Choosing a Qualified Kambo Practitioner
Although kambo is readily available at many spiritual or health retreat centers, it is important to thoroughly vet any kambo practitioner before committing to a ceremony. An experienced practitioner should have training on safety protocols, proper administration techniques, and have personally taken kambo several times. There is some preparation involved before the ceremony, and a trained professional should offer guidance on how to follow a kambo dieta, including rules about how to properly hydrate and what foods to abstain from before the ceremony.
Additionally, a qualified kambo practitioner will offer integration services immediately after the ceremony and in the coming days or weeks should participants have questions about their experience. Harm reduction is always the top priority for anyone working with plant or animal medicine.
Understand that kambo does come with risks and side effects. While the benefits can be immense, kambo is a toxic substance and can be fatal. Choosing an experienced practitioner can help mitigate many risks, but each person may respond differently to the substance.
How to Become a Kambo Practitioner
There are several training programs that offer kambo certification, both in South and North America. The Rainforest Healing Center in Peru believes that one must be initiated through the indigenous traditions to truly understand the nature of kambo and become qualified as a practitioner. Their training involves catching the giant leaf frog and harvesting its venom with the guidance of an indigenous elder. The International Association of Kambo Practitioners (IAKP), who according to their website: “encourages the safe, responsible, ethical, and sustainable use of Kambo and aims to give back to the forest and indigenous peoples of the Amazon that so generously share their knowledge with us,” offers training across the globe. Their highest level of training can take three to four years to complete.
For anyone interested in becoming a certified kambo practitioner, do in-depth research to ensure the program uses ethical harvesting practices and offers several in-person sessions to become intimately familiar with both the experience and the process of administration.
Taking the Leap
While not yet scientifically verified, kambo is offering healing and relief to people worldwide. The role of the practitioner is a contributing factor to the overall experience and comfortability of the participants, and seeking out a trained professional will help ensure a better experience. If you’ve ever tried kambo, we’d love to hear about your experience and what value you gained. Drop us a comment below.
