Kambosito
I first encountered ancient medicines like Rapé, Kambo, Ayahuasca, and San Pedro when I was in Peru. Back then, Rapé and Kambo didn’t call to me; I only worked with Ayahuasca and San Pedro. Both were profound and transformative. Years later, Kambo found me again in Mexico. During the 10 months I lived in Oaxaca, I had the opportunity to work with a group of healer women who called themselves Mujeres de la Luna (Women of the Moon), and I learned a lot from them about abuelo Kambo, hermano Mushroom, and hermanita Cocoa.
During a week-long silent retreat in Pluma Hidalgo, I met a medicine woman and Kambo practitioner. The moment I connected with her at the retreat center, I felt an inner call to work with her, and I knew deep down that it was time for me to meet the Spirit of Kambo medicine. That I was ready.
After completing the silent retreat, I began practicing ice baths every other day. Shortly afterward, I started my diet for the Kambo ceremony. No spices, no carbohydrates or animal products, no salt, no sugar, no caffeine, no sex, no drugs, and plenty of water. Whenever I work with a medicine, I take the diet very seriously. I always follow the recommended regimen and prepare my body in advance. I would definitely recommend this to everyone.
What is Kambo?
Kambo is a healing ritual used by indigenous tribes in the Amazon region of South America. In this ritual, a secretion from a giant leaf frog known as Phyllomedusa bicolor is applied. The Kambo application involves making small burns on the skin and then applying this secretion to the body.
The purposes of Kambo include detoxifying the body, strengthening the immune system, and balancing energy. The ritual is seen as a physical, mental, and spiritual cleansing. However, it’s important to remember that Kambo is a traditional healing method and is not recommended as a medical treatment. Additionally, there are some risks associated with this practice, so it should only be performed by an experienced and trained practitioner.
My Kambo Experience
My skin was softly burned with an incense stick and the secretion of the frog (let’s candidly say the poison) was placed on the burns gently. Nothing painful, yet a little uncomfortable. I had six burns of Kambo as my practitioner saw fit.
As soon as the medicine was applied, I felt a sudden mental clarity and a rising nausea. I felt like I was about to faint. It was as if I was so attuned to my body that I could feel all the sensations moving through it. And of course, feeling my body so deeply and vividly was overwhelming for my mind. I was aware that my body and spirit were undergoing a deep cleanse, and I knew I needed to surrender to the wisdom of the medicine. It was a long and exhausting journey, but somehow it was also rejuvenating. With each purge (it makes you vomit quite a lot), I felt lighter and more grounded.
Kambo is not a psychedelic. Therefore, its effects are not hallucinogenic like Ayahuasca, San Pedro, or mushrooms. However, it still deepens your perception and your communication with life comes from a different perspective.
During the ceremony, our guide was singing, channeling information and prayers, and taking care of us when we needed support. My Kambo ceremony circle consisted of three people, including myself, plus our guide. Since I always experience a deep sense of unity during ceremonies, I am very open and empathetic to what is happening around me. Therefore, if I encounter Kambo again —which I’m sure we will find each other again— this time, I would prefer to have a one-on-one ceremony. That’s for sure.
The completion of the ceremony took a few hours. After the ceremony, a plant-based antibacterial resin called dragon blood is applied to the burns to prevent skin infections. This is why Kambo wounds are very specific and understandable (to those who know). I remember having a very deep and restorative sleep that night. I only had one session, and it was the exact dosage I needed. This is something you should consult with your guide about. They will direct you to the most appropriate dosage based on your needs.
I can not say whether I can recommend working with Kambo or not. It definitely helped me gain clarity and provided mental and physical strength. I felt like reborn after my Kambo ceremony. I also quit smoking afterward. Still, let’s admit it’s not for everyone. It requires total surrender and trust. It requires the ability to tolerate discomfort. Well as with all medicine, Kambo is not easy. But nothing good comes easy. The choice is yours.
