Kambo is applied by creating an access point or “gate” on the skin. We do this through creating minor blister points on the skin. This is done quickly and precisely. Depending on intentions for the session, people sitting with Kambo for the first time tend to open 2-5 gates. Gates are traditionally opened on the left arm or right ankle, but can also be administered on the spine or other areas, depending on the person receiving the session. Once the gates are open, the kambo secretion is prepared and administered onto the open gates.

After filling out a waiver and scheduling your session, the day has finally arrived. You will be fasted for at least seven hours and arrive in comfortable, loose-fitted clothing. After settling in, we will go over the origins of Kambo, intentions for your session and decide on the number of gates to open. You will drink 3/4 liter of water while the medicine is being prepared. We will start with a test-point and wait five minutes to ease into the process and see how you respond to the medicine. Once the five minutes is up, we will assess and apply the remainder of the points.

You may quickly feel what is referred to as the “kambo flu”. You will feel Kambo scan your body as a warm internal heat subtly builds within you, which tends to feel pleasant. Your face may flush red, you may feel a slight beating in your head, your heart will beat more quickly, you may feel hot or cold, you may sweat and your hands or feet may tingle. Throughout the process, you may feel the need to “get well” - throw up or use the bathroom.

Purging tends to be easy, as the water helps any discomfort felt during the process. The medicine is only on for 20 minutes, enough time to let the body absorb the peptides. After the Kambo is wiped off, symptoms quickly dissipate and you are left with a cleansing and euphoric feeling. You will rest for at least 30 minutes and I will be with you during your entire journey.

Once rested, you will be able to continue your day as usual, although building in time for self-care is highly recommended, as you may feel more sensitive and tender. People report feeling more uplifted, clean, clear, healthier, stronger, more energized and overall, more like their true selves for days and often weeks after their session. You will be offered rapè after Kambo to ground and complete the ceremony.

Short answer- most likely. Different skin tones are more visibly affected than others, although the little gates heal quickly and fade over time. Once the Kambo is removed, Dragon’s Blood; a resin made from the Sangre de Drago tree, is applied to the little blister points. This resin is used topically for healing, as it has antiseptic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also acts as a liquid bandaid while your skin heals. Red light therapy, vitamin E and emu oil have all helped Kambo marks fade. Kambo is considered a warrior medicine. The marks from Kambo are seen by many as a symbol of pride on their healing journey.

You have serious heart problems

You are taking medication for low blood pressure

You have had a stroke

You have had a brain hemorrhage

• You have an aneurism or blood clots

• Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

• Addison’s disease

• Epilepsy

• Have been diagnosed as bi-polar or schizophrenia

• Take immunosuppressants for organ transplant

• Are recovering from a major surgical procedure

• Have taken Bufo or 5-MeO-DMT within 6 weeks

• Are pregnant, may be pregnant or breastfeeding

Sananga is a traditional medicine made from the roots and bark of the Tabernaemontana undulate trees, which are native to the Amazon. It is prepared by scraping the bark or roots of the tree and soaking them in water to create a liquid extract. Sananga is administered as eye drops, applied directly to the eyes, causing a brief but intense burning sensation, followed by clarity, heightened perception and a decalcification of the pineal gland. Most people report heightened color perception and clarity shortly after receiving Sananga. It’s also been known to help with astigmatisms, cataracts, glaucoma and eye styes.

Rapé (pronounced "hapay") is a sacred and traditional shamanic snuff used by indigenous tribes in the Amazon rainforest, particularly in Brazil and Peru. Tribes such as the Huni Kuin, Nu-nu, Yawanawá and Katukina have weaved rapé into their cultures since the Mayan civilization, for ritual, medicinal and recreational purposes. It is made from a mixture of powdered tobacco leaves and medicinal tree ashes. The ingredients vary depending on the specific recipe used by each tribe.

Rapé has comparatively high levels of beta-cabolines, which interact with serotonin and dopamine systems in the brain, helping to relieve depression and anxiety. Rapé is typically administered by blowing the powdered mixture into the nostrils using a small blowpipe called a "Tepi." The administration of rapé is often part of traditional healing ceremonies and rituals used for spiritual, medicinal, and therapeutic purposes. You will be offered rapè after kambo to help ground and close the ceremony.

The International Union for Conservation (IUCN) endangered species database lists them in the “Least Concern” category, in view of their current wide distribution and large population.

Harvesting frogs is done safely and ethically in a way that honors the connection of humans and nature. The organization I work with, called Tribal Detox, works with the Cocama tribe in Peru. Frogs are harvested during rainy season, when the frogs are more active. While collaborating with the Cocama, we have access to over 100,000 frogs in over 80 miles of jungle landscape.

Frogs are gently captured and brought back to the village to harvest the Kambo. Here, they undergo a two-minute process, where their four legs are spread apart in order to scrape the kambo secretion off its back. The kambo is placed on a stick and dried out for later use. The frog is then released safely back to its original habitat.

We never go to the same spot more than once in a three-month period and we always leave enough secretion on the frog to protect itself. Tribal Detox practices reflect a deep reverence for the Cocoma and ecological stewardship with the Amazon and the frogs. Tribal Detox members participate in donation campaigns throughout the year for the Cocoma and have annual opportunities to visit the Cocoma tribes and create a deeper relationship with them and the frogs. Transparency of this process is important. Always ask your practitioner if they know where their Kambo is from and if it has been sourced ethically.