Kambo is a powerful, medicinal secretion from the green giant monkey tree frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor), which inhabits the upper regions of the Amazon Rainforest. This frog has no natural predators—its secretion is so potent that even snakes will spit it out if they try to swallow it. These frogs can be found across various countries, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, French Guiana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Kambo is legal globally, with the only exceptions being Australia and Brazil, where it is prohibited to market or advertise Kambo to prevent biopiracy.

A Kaxinawá legend tells the story of a tribe suffering from illness, and despite their medicine man, or Pajé, using all known herbs and remedies, no cure was found. While under the influence of sacred plant medicines, the Pajé ventured into the forest and encountered a divine figure, Grandmother, who presented him with a frog. She taught him how to harvest and use its white secretion to heal his people. When he returned to the tribe and applied this knowledge, he successfully cured the sick. From that moment on, he became known as Pajé Kampu. After his death, his spirit was said to live on in the frog, continuing its mission to protect those who defend the forest. To this day, the indigenous people of the Amazon use the frog’s secretion to maintain health and vitality. Known as Kambo, it is also referred to as Sapo, Kampu, or Vacina da Floresta in various tribes, and its use remains a significant part of their healing practices, although rituals may differ among tribes.

What Is Kambo?

What Is It Used For?

The use of Kambo varies among different tribes, but the primary indigenous purposes are to lift Panema—a term for dark or negative energy—and to enhance hunting abilities. The tribes believe that Kambo increases speed and energy during hunts and even makes the hunter temporarily invisible by neutralizing their human scent. Medicinally, Kambo is used to treat a range of conditions, including malaria, snake bites, fevers, infections, fertility issues, and as a means to cleanse, detoxify, and strengthen both the mind and body. It is also used to boost energy, stamina, and alleviate pain.

Beyond the forest, Kambo has been the focus of over two decades of medical research. Similar to venoms from snakes and scorpions, scientists believe Kambo could offer new treatments for a variety of conditions, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, chronic pain, cancer, HIV, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, depression, vascular issues, hepatitis, diabetes, rheumatism, arthritis, addictions, and more. Researchers are working to identify, isolate, and replicate the unique chemical components found in Kambo.

Kambo contains numerous peptides (short chains of amino acids), some of which are bioactive. These bioactive peptides bind to specific receptors in the human body, triggering particular chemical reactions. The peptide families present in Kambo include bradykinins (phyllokinin), tachykinins (phyllomedusin), caerulein, sauvagine, tryptophyllins, dermorphins, deltorphins, and bombesins. Recent studies have shown that Kambo's antimicrobial peptides are effective against drug-resistant strains of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, parasites, and viruses.

Research from the University of Paris has demonstrated that Kambo is highly effective in killing cancer cells, and recent groundbreaking work by Queen’s University in Belfast earned them a prestigious award for their advances in cancer treatment using Kambo.

Kambo is one of the most potent natural substances in the world, known for its powerful anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antimicrobial, and anesthetic properties. It's also one of the strongest natural ways to boost the immune system. In addition, Kambo acts as a powerful detoxifier for both the liver and intestines, making it an excellent cleanser.

In the short term, Kambo can have immediate effects, such as enhanced mood, increased alertness, clarity, focus, and energy. It also boosts your resistance to stress, fatigue, hunger, and thirst. People often experience a sense of mental stillness, lightness, and a greater ability to manage challenges.

Over the long term, Kambo strengthens the immune system, activating the body’s natural defense mechanisms to improve or resolve existing health issues and reduce the likelihood of future problems. On a spiritual level, Kambo works in a mystical way, acting as a light that clears the path, helping individuals overcome obstacles and release emotional blockages. It clears the energy field and realigns the chakras, facilitating the breaking of negative habits and fostering more natural thinking.

Despite the vast investment in research to replicate the secretions of the Phyllomedusa bicolor frog for synthetic medications, no one has been able to recreate Kambo’s original form. As a holistic treatment, Kambo operates on the mind, body, energy, and spirit in ways that science has yet to fully comprehend. This is why the indigenous people’s use of the term ‘magic’ to describe Kambo feels so fitting.

How Is Kambo Used?

Kambo should always be administered by a trained and experienced practitioner who will supervise the entire process.

The Kambo experience is intense but brief. The effects are strong and immediate, but they usually subside within 30 to 40 minutes. To prepare, the dried Kambo is mixed with a small amount of water and divided into small dots. The practitioner then creates small "gates" or points on the surface of the skin, typically around 1/8" in diameter, though they may be slightly smaller or larger depending on the treatment. A hot stick is used to blister the top layer of skin, which is then peeled off to expose the underlying epidermis—similar to how skin comes off when you get a blister. No blood is involved.

The number and placement of the points will vary based on individual needs. If multiple treatments are done in the same session, the same points are reused. The small dots of Kambo are applied directly to these points. This is the only safe way to administer Kambo; it should never be ingested or introduced directly into the bloodstream. The Kambo enters the lymphatic system, allowing for fast effects.

Most people feel a warm or hot flush on their upper body and face, accompanied by an increased heart rate. From this point, reactions can vary. Some people may feel dizzy, spaced out, or foggy, while others might experience swelling in the lips or face, along with mild skin tingling. As the Kambo works its way through the body, it scans for issues and targets areas in need of attention. You may feel a throbbing or burning sensation in those areas for a short time.

Kambo is not psychoactive and does not induce hallucinations, but it can create a brief altered state of consciousness for some individuals. Many people report receiving insights or messages about living a healthier life. The next phase is the purging process, which involves releasing toxins from both the physical and emotional levels.

Within an hour or so, you’ll typically feel much better and can resume eating and drinking normally. After a restful night’s sleep, you’ll begin to notice the true benefits.

The burn marks from the treatment will heal and fade over time, but depending on your skin type and color, you may have small, visible scars. For many people, these marks are seen as a badge of honor. The points used during the treatment can be reapplied after approximately three months. After the Kambo is removed, the points are treated with Peruvian tree sap, which helps speed up healing and prevents infection until the areas scab over naturally within a day or so.

What is the Forest Vaccine?

In many tribal traditions, Kambo is referred to as the Vacina de Floresta (Vaccine of the Forest) and is often administered in a series of three treatments over the course of one moon cycle. This approach is a highly potent and effective way to undergo deep cleansing, with each treatment offering progressively deeper healing. If you're interested in completing the three-treatment process within one moon cycle, please let me know.

The more frequently you work with Kambo, the deeper the medicine will go and the more profound the benefits. While a single session can be transformative for everyone (as long as none of the contraindications apply), a series of treatments can offer even greater healing.