Kambo is derived from the secretion of the Amazonian phyllomedusa bicolor frog. These frogs have no known predators and are found in abundance throughout the Amazon rainforest. There are even sections of the Amazon rainforest that serve as protected land for these incredible creatures.
Amazonian tribes refer to Kambo as “hunting magic” and have used it for centuries to heighten their senses, energize their bodies and boost stamina. It’s also used as a jungle supplement to treat infections, malaria, fever, snake bites, and to clear ‘panema’ which means negative or darker energies, or bad luck.
The secretion of these frogs contains a potent combination of bioactive peptides and neuropeptides that offer powerful healing benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. Italian pharmacologist, scientist, chemist, and 2-time Nobel Prize winner, Vittorio Erspamer described Kambo as a “fantastic chemical cocktail with potential medical applications, unequaled by any other amphibian.” Vittorio was the first person to research Kambo in a lab setting and was also responsible for the discovery of the well-known neurotransmitter, serotonin, as well as the identification, synthesis, and pharmacological studies of 60 new chemical compounds.
The peptides found in Kambo are readily absorbed in the human body and perform a range of beneficial functions to prevent disease while enhancing and optimizing the nervous system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, and immune system. Many of the peptides found in Kambo have antimicrobial and antiviral effects. One of the primary roles of the frog’s secretion is to act as a defensive mechanism for the frog’s skin against various parasitic fungi and other microbes present in the jungle that would otherwise have an easier time getting through and infecting the frog.

There are many different benefits of Kambo that range from physical to mental to emotional and even spiritual. In its indigenous use, it’s considered to be a medicine. However, in western society, we cannot technically deem this as a medicine, although anyone who has ever experienced the potency of Kambo will at test to its ability to provide relief from physical ailments.

My Kambo ceremonies are 2 hours in duration, and they’re held with deep reverence. I consider this to be some of the most sacred work I do, and as such, I am devoted to creating a ceremonial space that feels loving, nourishing, and healing so that you leave feeling seen, supported, and held. 
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As for the actual experience of Kambo, it is applied safely through small blister points referred to as ‘gates.’ The gates are created using a natural incense stick and are not deep. Only the top layer of the skin is burned, revealing shiny skin similar to what you’d see if you popped a blister.
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For a basic Kambo session, 3-5 gates are opened. Once the gates are opened, you will be asked to drink 1/2 to 3/4 liters of water prior to the application of the Kambo dots. Once the Kambo is applied to the gates, you’ll start feeling effects within a couple of minutes. The effects come on strong but do not last very long and will dissipate within 20-25 minutes. You’ll first experience a warm flushing sensation through out your entire body. After this, you’ll feel your heart rate increase slightly with a slight throbbing sensation in your ears and head. Your lips and tongue may also feel numb or tingly. From here, you’ll start to feel dizzy or ligh theaded, which is then followed by the onset of flu-like symptoms where you may find yourself feeling weak, achy, exhausted, and nauseous. You may feel the urge to purge but it’s important to understand that purging is not required to receive the benefits of Kambo. Once the Kambo is applied to your skin and enters your system, the benefits take effect. 

Purging is caused by the activation of the chemoreceptor zone (area postrema) of your brain, which is triggered by the introduction of toxins in the system. Once the chemoreceptor zone has been activated, it stimulates the vomiting center to initiate an emetic response which leads to feelings of nausea and can often lead to purging. If you do purge, you’ll find the purge to be easy due to the water that is consumed prior to the application of Kambo, and what you do purge is a mixture of water and bile. What you need to understand is that purging bile in a Kambo ceremony is simply the body’s emetic response while vomiting on an empty stomach. There is no scientific evidence that toxins are being expelled from the body during a Kambo purge–that is your liver’s job, and it does this daily. After the purge, you’ll start to feel the flu-like symptoms dissipate and will be left feeling relaxed and may even experience a bliss-like state. Most clients will regain their strength within 30-45 minutes, while for some, it could take upwards of a couple hours. But what’s for certain is that you’ll experience the benefits of Kambo the next day and will continue to experience these benefits for days or weeks after your session.

The Huni Kuin legend tells that the members of the tribe became very ill, and their Paje (medicine man) had done everything that was possible to cure them. All medicinal herbs known were used, but none helped. Under the effect of sacred plant medicines, he entered the forest and whilst there received a visit from the Grandmother. She brought in her hands a frog, from which she took a white secretion, and taught the Paje how to apply it. Returning to the tribe and following the guidelines that he had received the Paje was able to cure his brothers and sisters. From then on, he was known as Paje Kampu or Kampum. After his death, his spirit lived on in the frog where it continued its mission to protect the health of those who defend the forest. The secretion became known as Kambo but in some tribes it is called Sapo, Dow-Kiet, Kampu or Vacina da Floresta.

The first Westerner to witness Kambo use in the Amazon was the French missionary Constantin Tastevin, who stayed with the Huni Kuin in 1925. According to his informants, the ritual of self-envenomation originated with the neighboring Yawinawá. 

Kambo was rediscovered in the 1980s by journalist Peter Gormanand anthropologist Katharine Milton—both of whom spent time living with the Matsés/Mayoruna of northeastern Peru/southwestern Brazil. They each supplied Kambo samples to the biochemists John Daly and Vittorio Erspamer, who analyzed the secretion's peptide content and saw great medical potential. Pharmaceutical companies have made efforts to synthesize and patent Kambo peptides and have made promising strides towards new and effective medications derived from the Phyllomedusa peptides.

International awareness of Kambo continues to grow, having spiked around the mid-2000s. Today, Western-trained applicators hold Kambo ceremonies around the world.