What is Kambo
Kambo, also called Sapo, Kampo. Ironically, Sapo.
Kambo is one of the strongest natural anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antimicrobial and anaesthetic substances found in the world and one of the strongest, natural ways to strengthen the immune system.
On a physical level, kambo has the ability to provide a deep detox for the body (namely the liver and intestines), as well as rousing the immune system, bringing it back to a state of optimum function. This may provide benefits for any existing health issues, potentially leading to an improvement or recovery.
Kambo provides powerful pain-relieving properties, with its naturally-containing peptide Demorphin being scientifically proven to be significantly more potent than morphine, without any side effects.
Kambo increases energy, stamina, and our resistance to physiological stress, whilst decreasing tiredness, hunger and thirst. It is also gaining popularity amongst athletes, as it known to significantly increase endurance and decrease recovery time.
After a kambo cleanse it is common to notice a heightening of the senses, bringing that “hunting magic” into the Western world.
On a mental level, kambo enhances the mood whilst allowing the mind to become still and relaxed. This is thought to be a result of its naturally-containing peptide Dermorphine, which exhibits potent opiate-like activity on opioid receptors in the brain, potentially resulting in a release of dopamine.
It increases focus, alertness, awareness and clarity of mind. It can allow one to see things clearly and make decisive action. Kambo brings us into a state of alignment, allowing us to uncover and overcome limiting beliefs and thought patterns.
On an emotional level, kambo is infamous for lifting the mood and improving our sense of wellbeing. It has the ability to increase our resistance to stress, whilst decreasing feelings of anxiety and depression. It gives us the courage to process and release traumas, wounds and emotional baggage.
On a spiritual level, kambo is said to lift ‘panema’, (malaise, depression, bad luck or negative energy) which is keeping you from accomplishing your goals and out of alignment with living the life you truly desire. In the jungle, if it is felt that bad luck or heavy energy has come upon a member of the tribe, kambo is often used to remedy this.
Kambo facilitates us in releasing emotional and energetic blockages. From a shamanic perspective, this could be described as assisting us in extracting intrusions from the energy field. It is also known to benefit the flow of energy in the chakras and meridians of the body.
It is a truly holistic treatment, bringing the body, mind and spirit into a state of balance and harmony.
Kambo ceremony
Before your kambo cleanse commences, you will be asked to drink between 1,5 – 2 litres of water 15 minutes before the kambo is applied. This is to provide the kambo with a medium to carry the toxins out of the body through purging. You will have been fasting from food for a minimum of eight hours and minimising water intake prior to your treatment.
The kambo secretion, which is dried onto a stick, will be reconstituted with water and made into small balls which we refer to as “points”. The number of points administered to each person will vary depending on a number of factors, but this will be discussed with you prior to commencing. Kambo is applied to the body through “gates”, which are superficial burns made on the top layer of the skin with a natural incense stick. The kambo is applied directly on the gates and from there it will be distributed throughout the body via the lymphatic system.
As kambo enters the body, it will cause your blood pressure to rise. This can result in you experiencing increased heart rate, a pounding or rushing sensation in your head, skin tingling, dizziness and some swelling of the face and/or throat. This is a completely normal part of the process, and occurs due to the effects of the peptides within the kambo secretion. It is not an allergic reaction, nor the body “fighting against” the kambo. These effects are short-lived and the specific sensations experienced will vary from person to person. For example, whilst almost everyone will experience a pounding sensation in the head as the blood pressure rises, not everyone experiences facial swelling or dizziness.
At this point, the kambo will be coursing through your body, scanning for problem areas that it will work on. It is quite common to feel this happen, and to experience some pain or other sensation in these areas. It is all part of the kambo magic! A common example would be feeling the kambo travelling to the site of an old injury.
During the second stage of the kambo process (roughly 5 minutes in), your blood pressure will start to drop. It is common to feel cold and clammy, and it is at this point that most people will begin the purging process. This will usually include a physical purge of vomiting and/or diarrhoea as the toxins are removed from your body via the water you ingested, but may also include sweating, shaking or an emotional purge. This purging process, whilst mainly a physiological experience, also allows us to release what is no longer serving us on an emotional, energetic and spiritual level. This can result in a feeling of deeper spiritual connection to one’s self. Kambo acts intelligently, listening to our intentions and scanning the body for what needs to be released.
The length of the kambo experiences varies for everyone, but will last roughly between 10-35 minutes.
Once the purging process is completed, you will be encouraged to lie down and rest for half an hour. This is an integral part of the kambo process, as it allows the body to recover and gives you a chance to integrate your experience. You may also find that the cleansing process of the kambo continues, allowing you to have emotional releases, insights and revelations.
After you have rested, you will be offered a light vegan/vegetarian lunch to re-energise your body.
Following your kambo cleanse, your gates will be dressed in a medicinal Amazonian tree sap called Dragon’s Blood, which will reduce pain and inflammation of the area, accelerate healing and reduce scarring.
After your kambo ceremony, it is advised to allow yourself the day to rest, recover and integrate your experience. Some people may feel the benefits of kambo immediately and for others these will be felt within 24-48 hours. It is also common if you have been suffering from any illnesses to experience a Herxheimer reaction for a few days after your session, that is, you may feel worse before you feel better. This is a completely normal part of working with kambo, or any other natural medicine.
What to Bring
You will be in a comfortable, protected space but the systemic purge of Kambo often occurs in stages or waves that have different bodily effects. As such, it is recommended that you dress comfortably, and in layers so that you can adjust your temperature as necessary (cool towels and blankets are also provided for this purpose).
If you have long hair bring a band to tie it back during the purging phase.
Once the initial phase is over you will want to be as relaxed and comfortable as possible, we will provide blanket and pillow for you.
After the ceremony, you should snack on something light to balance your electrolytes, try fresh fruit, juice, or coconut water to soothe your stomach.
