About Kambo

24 Dec

Those who’ve been to appointments know, but the following is a brief overview of the history of Kambo.

The legend of Kampu is a profound tale transcending thousands of years, rooted in the Amazon jungle among the Kaxinawà tribe. Kampu, the tribe's medicine man, sought healing for his ailing people. Through meditation and the guidance of Mother Ayahuasca, the master teacher plant. Kampu received visions that unveiled the secrets of Kambo, focusing on the monkey tree frog and its potent secretion.

Kampu returned to the village armed with this newfound knowledge, healed the tribe, and introduced Kambo as a powerful medicine. The name "Kambo" honours the shaman Kampu, keeping his spirit alive. In modern times, Amazonian tribes like the Matses, Kaxinawà, and Yawanawana continue to use Kambo for community health. Like Kampu, individuals today explore the divine healing of Kambo, interacting with the forest and the spirit of Mother Ayahuasca for profound well-being.

Kambo otherwise known as Sapo or Acate, is a secretion from a large tree frog that resides in the Amazon rainforest. The frogs are abundant and have very few natural predators and that is why it is ethically safe to use. Many tribes use Kambo across the Amazon, and it has been used for thousands of years, but from a Western perspective, it was observed by a French priest in 1925. The interaction again resurfaced 1980’s as the influx of visitors to the Amazon increased.

Most tribes have little to no ritual regarding taking Kambo and it is widely used amongst the communities regularly. It is a versatile tool within tribal communities, employed for various purposes such as warding off spirits, clearing bad luck (Panema), addressing health issues, enhancing fertility, regulating the endocrine system, and boosting immunity. Its applications also extend to breaking curses, clearing ancestral lines, and supporting general health during initiations and beyond.