Sacred Kambo Ceremony
Kambo is a medicine that invites specificity with intentionality. As warriors and hunters use Kambo to help them hit their targets, it can help you do the same. What happens during your journey is between you and the frog. The medicine of Kambo helps us remember that discomfort is a necessary part of the transformation process, and that you are empowered and capable to meet the moment and will emerge more alive on the other side.
Kambo is a great ally for getting unstuck, for expanding your capacity, and for deepening presence in your precious life.
The discomfort of Kambo is generally followed by a euphoric state and a heightened sense of well-being. Some feel particularly energized after the session, while others rest in peaceful relaxation. If you are feeling nervous about the "ordeal" aspect of Kambo, rest assured that hesitancy is normal and healthy for your first time with something new.
Kambo is not painful, and you will come to find that the discomfort you experience is, indeed, medicine.
What to Expect
The only safe application of Kambo is through minor blister points made in the skin to which the secretion is applied. The burn is not deep, with only the epidermis removed, allowing an entry “gate” for the Kambo to enter the body.
Typically 3-5 “gates” are opened in the skin for an introductory Kambo session.
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The client is asked to drink ~3/4 liter of water before applying the Kambo dots to the open gates.
Once the secretion is applied to the gates, the immediate effects are quick and intense but short-lived, usually about 20-25 minutes.
Within 30 seconds to a minute, the client will experience a warm flushing sensation over the entire body.
The heart rate will increase slightly with a light throbbing sensation in the head. The lips, ears, and tongue may go numb and tingly and may also be accompanied by dizziness or light-headedness, and these sensations last approximately 5-7 minutes, followed by 10-15 minutes of flu-like symptoms where the client may feel weak, achy, and nauseous.
During this time, the client may or may not feel the need to purge, although it is not a requirement to receive the benefits of Kambo.
It is merely a pharmacological effect of Kambo that some experience and is not as dramatic
as you will find on some of the sensationalized YouTube videos.
If a proper fasting protocol is followed, and because of the water consumed beforehand,
the purge is typically smooth and without discomfort.
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After the purge, the flu-like symptoms dissipate rather rapidly, and the client is usually left feeling very relaxed and may be washed over with a feeling of euphoria. After approximately 30 minutes of rest, the client will gain strength and energy back into the body and will be able to continue their day as usual.
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The benefits from a Kambo session will be experienced in the following hours, days, and even sometimes weeks following the session.
After Kambo is removed from the top layer of skin, the entry points are closed with a Peruvian anti-bacterial/fungal tree sap (Dragon's Blood). This helps the entry points heal faster and acts as a "liquid bandage", while offering a secure antibacterial barrier.
DO NOT pick at the points or try to remove/clean off the Dragon's Blood. If possible, do not apply anything to the entry points other than saline solution or water and soap to cleanse, and Dragon’s Blood to protect for healing.
Kambo Marks
The entry points will heal and fade with time but depending on your skin color and type you may always have small visible scars. After Kambo treatment, once the Dragon’s Blood is dry, you can use colloidal silver, shea butter, tea tree oil or coconut oil to aid the healing process and limit scarring. Please stay away from chemical cream products like Neosporin.
Most people see their Kambo scars as a badge of honor.
Plant Allies used in Ceremony
Sananga
Sananga, also known as Becchete (a Matis and Matsés word for a medicinal plant) are very powerful eye drops extracted from the shrub Tabernaemontaña undulate. When Sananga is applied directly to the eyes, it is said by the tribes to have the effect of giving the environment greater texture and dimension, making it easier to spot animals during hunting.
The effects can last up to several days and weeks. Along with enhanced vision Sananga has been known to increase energy and even provide pain relief. Sananga eye drops can be challenging from creating a powerful burning sensation in the eyes.
Along with medicinal qualities Sananga has psychological benefits.
After the first 1-2 minutes of discomfort, the recipient can feel a serenity, deep calm meditative state, and even fall asleep.
Sananga helps you get out of your head and into your body.
Rapé/Hapé
Rapé (hapé) is a sacred shamanic snuff that has been used by tribes of the Amazon basin for thousands of years and is an essential part of their tribal culture and history. Rapé is not sniffed, snorted or inhaled. It is blown into the nostrils with a special blowpipe called a “Kuripé” (self administration) or “Tepi” (another person administers).
There are many different types of rapé prepared by different tribes.
The fine powder is generally a combination of tobacco, ash from sacred trees, and herbs.
Many tribal cultures believe rapé is a tool used in releasing emotional, physical, and spiritual illnesses that eases negativity and confusion, enabling a thorough grounding of the mind. Rapé also stimulates the mind with its nicotine content that in turn releases a.o. epinephrine, acetylcholine, and dopamine, supporting an increased focus, presence, and intuition.
Rapé has a powerful synergistic relationship with Kambo that aids in grounding and recentering.
Is Kambo for you?
Kambo is NOT for you if:
Kambo is very safe when taken with a skilled and trained practitioner. That said, this medicine is not for everyone.
There are certain ailments and contraindications that would prevent someone from safely taking Kambo.
It is imperative that you be honest with yourself, and with your practitioner if you are contraindicated.
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Have Serious Heart Problems
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Have Elhers Danlos Syndorme
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Are on Medication for low blood pressure
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Have had a stroke
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Have had a brain hemorrhage
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Have an aneurism or blood clots
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Lack the mental capacity to make the decision to take Kambo
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Have serious mental health problems
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6 weeks before or after chemotherapy or radiation therapy
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Take immunosuppressants for organ transplant
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Have Addison’s disease
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Have current or severe epilepsy
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Recovering from a major surgical procedure
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Have taken Bufo or 5-MeO-DMT within 6 weeks
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Pregnant or may be pregnant or breast feeding
Preparation
In Kambo preparation, a clean diet must be followed to have the most rewarding and safe experience.
We also want to ensure that you prepare with specific intentions to focus on in your ceremony.
What would you like to release from your life?
What patterns are you carrying that no longer serve you?
What new things do you wish to call in?
The frog is intelligent and knows what you’re going to be working on!
The week of Ceremony
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Hydration is key!
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Please drink at least 8-11 glasses of water a day
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Eat organic food (Alkaline and plant based is recommended)
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Meditation and yoga are also recommended
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Be conscious with your consumption of media, energies, and your thoughts
3-5 Days before refrain from:
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Alcohol
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Red meat and pork
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“Street” drugs, heroin, cocaine, etc
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All supplements
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Herbal medicines to prevent interactions with Kambo
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Sleeping aids
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Sweeteners -including honey
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Packaged food with preservatives or chemicals
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Junk food
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Fried food
Ceremony Day
Bring an open heart and mind and trust the intelligence within you
You will be held and supported in a safe and sacred container.
Fasting is essential and mandatory
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Fasting for 8-12 hours before your ceremony
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No alcohol or street drugs 48 hours before ceremony
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No fluids the morning of a session – a cup of water is fine up to 2 hours before ceremony (non-caffeinated herbal tea are also okay)
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No sweat lodges, saunas or hot tubs the day before or after to prevent hyponatremia.
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No water fasts, colonics, or enemas 3 days before/after.
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Women who are menstruating , you may get your cycle sooner. Kambo may increase your flow because it is a vasodilator.
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If you wish to do Sananga eye drops during your session do not wear contacts, wear glasses day of treatment.
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Wear very comfortable clothing. Short sleeve shirts and pants that can roll past your ankles.
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Prepare to be here for 2 hours until your grounded enough to drive home.
Post Ceremony & Integration
You will have plenty of time and space to ground before you leave. Do Not Drive until you feel ready to do so.
Continued Integration support is always available
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Hydration is still key! Drink 8-11 glasses of water a day.
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DO NOT cover points with bandages.
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Drink mineral water and coconut water to restore nutrients and electrolytes.
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Do not operate heavy machinery, move furniture or engage in physically stressful situations within 24 hours of session.
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Refrain from difficult to digest and or energetically dense foods for at least 24 hours such as dairy and meat.
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Refrain from social media and violent or intense media
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Do not drink alcohol or do drugs for at least 3 days after your session.
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Tune in. Take note of vibrational shifts.
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Grounding techniques such as earthing are recommended.
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Eat organic non-processed whole foods
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Be intentional and disciplined with your technology use.
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Develop patience with yourself and the journey.
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Give yourself some space to process your Kambo experience.
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Journal
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Take time for you in nature.
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Stay out of direct sun for 24 hours.
