What is Kambô?
Kambô is the name given to the secretion of the Phyllomedusa bicolor or Giant Monkey Frog, native to the Amazon rainforest. Indigenous tribes have long used Kambô for it’s physical, emotional & spiritual healing properties.
History & Origins
Kambô has its roots in the indigenous tribes of the Amazon rainforest, including the Katukina, Matses, and Yawanawá people of Brazil and Peru. Traditionally, Kambô was used for a variety of purposes, including to strengthen the immune system, increase stamina for hunting and treat physical ailments like snake bites, malaria and fever. It is also believed to clear the so-called „Panema“, which describes a state of negative energy, bad luck, or blockage that affects a person's well-being, both mentally and physically. It is believed to manifest as a lack of motivation, fatigue, confusion, illness, or a series of misfortunes that can weigh down a person's spirit.
The name "Kambô" comes from the spirit of the frog itself, which is revered by these tribes as a powerful protector and healer. The ritual is often passed down through generations and remains an integral part of the tribes’ spiritual and healing practices today.
Image Artist: Nico Rosenfeld
Scientific Breakdown
From a scientific perspective, Kambô’s effects are attributed to a range of bioactive peptides found in the frog's secretion.
Vittorio Erspamer, an Italian pharmacologist and chemist, first studied the secretion of Kambô scientifically in a lab which has shown the chemical makeup of Kambo to contain short chains of amino acids, or peptides, which align with human physiology to assist the body’s healing process. These peptides in the secretion enter the body through the lymphatic system, producing various effects, encouraging the body to perform a multitude of tasks for detoxification, activation of the lymphatic and endocrine systems, adrenal glands and the body’s natural immune/defense system.
Some of the key peptides include:
Bombesins: Significantly influence digestive health by stimulating hydrochloric acid secretion, enhancing pancreatic function, modulating intestinal activity and improving nutrient absorption, leading to optimal digestion metabolism and overall well-being.
Phyllokinin and Phyllomedusin: Act as potent vasodilators, helping to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.
Dermorphin and Deltorphin: Potent opioid peptides that can have pain-relieving and mood-enhancing effects.
Sauvagine: Affects the adrenal cortex and stimulates the release of hormones like cortisol, which may help manage stress and fatigue.
Adenoregulin: Interacts with adenosine receptors in the body, contributing to anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.
Tryptophilins: Neuropeptides that offer promising insights into enhancing neuroplasticity, mood regulation and combating neuroinflammation
The experience often induces intense physical reactions, which can include vomiting, sweating, diarrhea and increased heart rate which are seen as part of a purging or cleansing process, releasing toxins and restoring balance to the body.
Kambô is a powerful and natural method to restore and strengthen the body’s ability to heal itself.
How It Works:
Spiritual and Cultural Significance
In the indigenous context, Kambô is far more than just a physical remedy - it is a sacred ritual that involves deep spiritual significance. The tribes believe that Kambô carries the spirit of the frog and when a person undergoes the ceremony, they are tapping into the wisdom and healing powers of nature.
Kambô is often performed as part of a spiritual ceremony led by a shaman or experienced practitioner, who guides participants through the process, often invoking prayers, chants or sacred rituals to honor the spirit of the frog and the natural world. Participants seek not only physical healing but also emotional and spiritual cleansing, aiming to remove negative energies, restore clarity, and realign with nature.
For these communities, the use of Kambô is deeply tied to their relationship with the land, animals and their cultural heritage, symbolizing a harmonious balance between humans and the environment.
I honor and respect their traditions and work closely with indigenous families in the rainforest.
For these communities, the use of Kambô is deeply tied to their relationship with the land, animals and their cultural heritage, symbolizing a harmonious balance between humans and the environment.
Benefits & Uses
Physical Health Benefits
Immune system support: Kambô contains a variety of bioactive peptides that stimulate the immune system. People who have experienced Kambô sessions often report feeling healthier and less susceptible to infections afterwards. The peptides activate the body’s natural defenses, promoting immune regulation and increased resilience.
Detoxification: Kambô is often described as a purgative therapy. One of the immediate effects of the session often include vomiting or bowel evacuation, which is seen as a form of cleansing and detoxification. Practitioners believe that these processes help the body get rid of toxins, particularly those accumulated from poor diet, environmental pollution or prolonged stress.
Pain Relief: Some peptides in Kambô are known for their analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. Studies have shown that Kambô may help alleviate chronic pain conditions. By interacting with pain receptors in the brain, these peptides could potentially provide relief from ailments like migraines, muscle pain or inflammation.
Mental & Emotional Health Benefits
Mental Clarity: After a Kambô session, many clients report a heightened sense of mental clarity, focus and alertness. This is often described as a "reset," where the mind feels clearer, free of clutter and better able to make decisions or handle challenges.
Anxiety and Stress Relief: While Kambô is not recognized as a treatment for anxiety or depression in conventional western medicine, anecdotal reports suggest that it may help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression and chronic stress. Some believe that the intense physical purging also leads to emotional detoxification, providing a sense of release from pent-up emotional energy.
Emotional Release: Many individuals who undergo Kambô describe emotional breakthroughs during or after the session. These may manifest as a release of stored emotions like grief, anger or sadness, leading to a greater sense of emotional balance and peace.
Enhance your physical, mental & spiritual well-being with Kambo’s powerful healing peptides. Ethically sourced and administered with deep respect for its indigenous traditions.
What my clients say …
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Chris
I wanted to thank you again from the bottom of my heart for your courage to walk the medicine path. I felt very comfortable and safe in your presence. It was an honor for me to be the first person receiving kambo from you after your practitioner training. Your instructions were very clear and you supported me through my ceremony with lots of love, which allowed me to completely and fully surrender to the medicine. I’ve been crossing paths with the spirit of Kambô for a few years now, but this was the absolute perfect timing. Thank you for holding such a powerful, loving and free space. You do what you do with full passion of your heart. What I also find fascinating is that since I did the ceremony at my own home I’ve cleared things that concerned my whole little family. Thank you Medisina, thank you pachamama, thank you Kambosito!
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Pia
wow - I really wanted to write this to you. I still remember exactly how you said to me: "It takes a few days for it to really sink in, the medicine shows what it has done for you," and I felt it so deeply 🥹 Thursday was my last day in the clinic, and the ceremony came at just the right time. Love is flowing again; my heart feels so open and so clear. I feel the love for myself so deeply, and I haven't felt this way in three years, without any intoxication, without other aids. I simply feel so profoundly cleansed and connected to the Earth, to the Spirit, and to love. I feel happiness and gratitude so gently, so precious. So, this is how I'm doing: I feel the sun within me; I feel my own radiance! Even though there's a lot to process externally, I feel grounded and in the moment. It has unfolded so beautifully, and my heart is speaking to me
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Vanessa
It was an overall very exciting, thrilling experience, and I'm glad I did it. Not least because I felt very safe and comfortable with you. Somehow, you knew what to say and do to make me feel good. In general, it was also muuuch less intense than I had expected beforehand or had read from others. Right now, I feel super proud, but also somehow purer and more confident regarding my inner unrest. Kambo has given me confidence that my body can handle quite a bit. I can very well imagine repeating this - especially now that I know nothing bad happens, and I can approach it with more calmness. I truly thank you so much for giving me the courage to do this through you 💕
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Igor
Sina opens, holds and closes the ceremonial space with great authenticity. I felt completely comfortable, seen and accepted. Throughout the entire process, Sina is very attentive, provides the right guidance and offers support. An absolute heartfelt recommendation to work with her!
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Lorena
I visited Sina and immediately felt comfortable and, most importantly, safe. Actually, even before that, through writing and talking on the phone :) !! Such a beautiful, warm, and empathetic soul ❤️
As for my Kambo experience, I’d prefer to keep it to myself because I don’t want to influence anyone else’s journey. That’s exactly what it is—a deeply personal experience. What I can and want to say is that it was an incredibly important experience for me, one that I definitely want to repeat, even though the session itself isn’t exactly pleasant. However, I felt right afterward how valuable this process was and how it will continue to integrate into my life. I’m so incredibly grateful for it and look forward to the next 🐸 journey.
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Dana
Sina had already told me a lot about Kambo and Rapé beforehand. I struggled for a long time with whether Kambo was right for me. Sina lovingly and competently supported me throughout my decision-making process, without ever applying pressure. Once I had decided that I wanted to participate in a retreat with Womb Kambo, Sina provided me with comprehensive and holistic advice and information. On the day of the ceremony, it was simply wonderful! Sina held the space with such love and attentiveness. I felt so safe and lovingly guided. I can only recommend her from the bottom of my heart ❤️.
