Day 1: I started my morning with a HIIT workout and lots of water. I continued my fast until after my ceremony. I was called to do three points on my inner left heel. I looked up the pressure points the night before. The points represented the sciatic nerve, ovaries, and sexual organs. This was deep root chakra work. After ceremony I spent time with Fynn in nature, then practiced root chakra yoga. I infused my shower time with sea salts, got the most out of the four coaching calls I had scheduled with clients, and invested in a new course called The Sovereign's Way. I had so much energy that I answered all my messages, smoked some cannabis, made some awesome food with my partner, cleaned the house like a pro, and spent quality time with my boy. 

Day 2: I woke up early full of energy, again starting my morning with a HIIT workout and water. I continued my fast and wrote out my new moon newsletter to set an intention. After the ceremony I followed up with those messaging me, successfully hosted two coaching calls with clients, practiced yoga with Fynn, filled my tummy with yummy food, showered, read my book, enrolled someone new into the Spiritual Biz training, and smoked some cannabis to finally reward my hard work. Following this I was inspired to write an article called about the 52 ways it's possible to earn an extra $3,000 per month, even more when the compound effect kicks in. I also had some epiphanies around the snake and the frog spirit animals. Tristan's dad was boiling maple syrup from the Trees he tapped on the land, the smell kept me really present. 

Day 3: I thought about the Mark Twain quote Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day. I am doing this in an intense and literal way. Working with Kambo first thing in the morning inspired me to make the most of every day and reporting on the experience gave me a strong purpose. This morning would be my last until called by the frog next time. I decided to work with Sananga to open the last ceremony and call in the New Moon energy. Following the ceremony I was inspired to make a fun movie of my son's first 5 years of life, his 6th birthday coming up, I dove in and started working on that. I also built out a new calendar for the spring, confirmed it and scheduled everything in. I prepped for the new moon, went to the farm, and did groceries for Anastasia's 9th birthday coming even sooner. When I got home and finished setting everything up for the kids, I rewarded my efforts with a magnesium infused bath and rubbed sea moss gel all over my body after - the gel was a calling from the frog and actually reminded me of their slimy skin. To close out my day I read a new book, played some board games, and drank flower tea with honey.

ABOUT KAMBO 

Kambo is a non-psychoactive earth technology that comes from the secretions of the Amazonian Giant Monkey Tree Frog, (Phyllomedusa bicolor). It is used ritually through Indigenous traditions to cleanse, purify, and release, allowing us to call forth more clarity, strength, and vitality in our lives. Kambo may help relieve your physical and energetic body of dense energy, disease, addiction and trauma. It cleanses and polishes your body and soul allowing you to reclaim your life force energy. Kambo has the ability to increase your awareness and connection to your true self and intuition; it also provides you more energy, confidence, clarity, and vision so that you may see and express your divinity, creativity, and purpose.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Kambo secretion is dried upon a stick for storage until use. It is rehydrated with pure water when given. Kambo is administered by a light burn to the skin followed by dermal administration of the secretion. It is administered through the skin because it is said to be dangerous to consume it and bring it into the digestive tract. Intradermally, it disperses through the lymph, plasma and endocrine system and disperses it through all of the tissues very quickly. The burn is administered with a small stick that is less than half the thickness of a pencil. Dosage of Kambo is based upon the number of dots and one dot is placed upon each individual burn. A normal starting dose is 3-5 dots and this is adjusted accordingly to experience and condition. The dots can be applied over particular joints, muscles, areas of pain, internal organs or dermal issues.

Upon receiving the Kambo, one typically will experience an increase in temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. One may hear their heartbeat. Nausea sets in within a few minutes and typically one has a purge within 15-30 minutes. There will be a bucket available for this. Some people do not have an emetic (vomiting) purge with Kambo and cleanse through a bowel movement instead. Some people sweat profusely from Kambo and then are cold after the experience. It is good to be prepared for this with a blanket especially if you're prone to get cold easily. Sometimes people have an anaphylactic swelling response from Kambo typically around the mouth and eyes, resulting in Frog Face. This response varies from person to person and usually lasts an hour or two. Occasionally it may last into the next day or two before completely clearing but this is relatively rare. It does also happen at times that people faint from Kambo for a few moments. Because of this I ask that everyone is careful in the way they are seated and what is behind them. I ask that people receiving Kambo accept assistance in walking to and from the bathroom.

KAMBO BENEFITS

Kambo is a very powerful earth ally that is traditionally shared with hunters in order to make them more effective. It is also known as the vaccine of the jungle. Kambo holds many benefits for the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies. In a kambo experience there are many parts of our being affected all at once. As the physical body begins to purge and release we are actually able to see toxins leave the body. Many people come to sit with kambo because they want to clean or heal aspects of their body, others come with the intention of moving emotions or traumas that may be stuck. Both of these things can take place and regardless of your reasoning this medicine has a powerful healing effect on many levels.

Kambo contains neuro and bio peptides that heal on many levels and is also scientifically and medically backed up for its potential. Kambo has been used to help people clear themselves from drugs and pharmaceuticals as well. It has the ability to help one overcome the hold of addiction and detox the body. It is said that Kambo is the strongest natural vaccine in the entire world and boosts the immune system by 300%. It is an incredibly powerful antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal & anti-microbial. It also has a powerful way of strengthening the nervous system which can support individuals in being less prone to stress or anxiety. When we have a strong nervous system we are also able to take on life more centered and also begin a powerful journey of actually lifting our own frequency and vibration into higher states of consciousness.

THE SCIENCE

There are currently over 70 patents worldwide on peptides that have been found in Kambo. Some of the peptides found so far are as follows: 

🐸 Phyllocaerulein – A natural painkiller that modifies satiety and sedation, reduces blood pressure and affects thermoregulation.

🐸 Phyllokinin – This neuropeptide causes a long lasting reduction in blood pressure.

🐸 Dermorphin – In the Sauvagine family of peptides, Dermorphin has an opiate like effect on mu-opioid receptors, has potent pain-killing properties and has been found to be 30-40 times stronger than morphine.

🐸 Dermaseptin – has powerful antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeast, fungi, protozoa, and enveloped viruses that often cause severe opportunistic infections, particularly those accompanying use of immunosuppressive agents.

🐸 Dermaseptin B2/Adenoregulin – A 33 amino acid peptide that works with the adenosine receptor. This antimicrobial peptide has been shown to be very effective in destroying cancer cells.

🐸 Deltorphin – Deltorphin is a potent painkiller and has a higher affinity and selectivity for delta-opiod binding sites than any other natural compound yet known.

🐸 Phyllomedusin – A neuropeptide that is a powerful Vasodilator and has a strong effect on tear ducts, salivary glands, intestines and bowels. This peptide contributes to the purging usually experienced when taking Kambo.

🐸 Tryptophyllins – This peptide has been found to be highly potent against the yeast candida albicans, and is being researched for cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory and anticancer therapy.

CONTRAINDICATIONS 

The International Association of Kambo Practitioners declares that Kambo is contraindicated for people who; Have serious heart problems, Are on medication for low blood pressure, Have had a stroke, Have had a brain hemorrhage, Have had aneurysms or blood clots, Lack the mental capacity to make the decision to take Kambo, Have serious mental health problems (excluding depression, PTSD and anxiety), Are undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy or for 4 weeks afterwards, Take immune-suppressants for organ transplant, Have Addison's Disease, Have current or severe epilepsy, Are recovering from a major surgical procedure, Are pregnant or breastfeeding a child under 6 months old. 

REVIEW

Kambo cleansing is frequently referred to as a Sapo or Kambo circle. It is a specific type of purge that uses skin secretions from a species of frog. The secretions are administered to trigger a psychedelic response in the individual participating in the ceremony. The ceremony originated as a folk medicine practice among indigenous populations in the Amazon. Ceremonies were led by shamans who guided others on a religious, spiritual journey. The treatment can also be given as an alternative medical treatment in the west; however, research into this type of detox is still ongoing. The ceremony usually involves burning one of the limbs before administering the secretions of the frog directly onto the burn. Proponents of the treatment claim that this type of administration can help people recover from injuries and illnesses, but research is still ongoing.

Research conducted since the 1980s has shown the chemical makeup of kambo to contain 9 short chains of amino acids, known as peptides, that affect gastrointestinal muscles and blood circulation as well as stimulate the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland in the brain. While there are no clinical studies that definitively back up kambo’s efficacy, the properties of kambo peptides suggest it may be a promising treatment for the following conditions: Depression, Migraines, Blood circulation problems, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, Vascular insufficiency, Organ diseases, Cancer, Fertility problems, Deeply rooted toxins, Chronic pain, Addiction to opiate or prescription painkillers (Kambo reduces physical pain, thus helping people kick their addictions to other painkillers), Fever and infections, Negatives energies, Immune illness, Anorexia and bulimia.

THE DETOX

The cleansing process begins before the actual ceremony. Most Kambo practitioners recommend fasting for 10-12 hours before use. Recreational drugs and alcohol are also prohibited for at least 24 hours prior. Finally, those taking Kambo should aim to drink at least 1-2 liters of water before the ceremony. These steps make the eventual purging easier. Please note that the National Academies for Science, Engineering, and Medicine cites that well-hydrated men drink about 3.7 liters of water per day, and women about 2.7 liters on average, although the recommendations vary for a variety of reasons—like intensive exercise, extreme heat, or bouts of vomiting or diarrhea. It’s not recommended that you drink all of this water in one sitting. The human kidney can reasonably excrete around one liter per hour. So, unless you’re vomiting immediately after, exercising intensely, or in extreme heat, it’s not recommended to drink more than one liter of water every one to two hours. It’s also not advised to drink this much for several consecutive hours.

SAFETY

The only safe way to administer kambo appears to be via skin burns, but the specifics tend to vary between practitioners. In the caboclo kambo initiation, for instance, the medicine is traditionally applied at the new moon of three consecutive months—each time increasing in dosage. Kambo may also be double- or triple-dosed within a single session. To stay safe, it is strongly recommended to use kambo under the direction and guidance of a properly trained and experienced sapo practitioner. Commonly, participants will fast for at least 8 hours leading up to the ceremony. It’s common to drink around a liter or two of water immediately prior to the ceremony to facilitate purging. To keep this portion of the experience as safe as possible, the kambo practitioner will hold space, supply buckets, and lend support when needed. For instance, they will make sure the users never lie down on their back, a dangerous position during purging that can lead to asphyxiating on vomit. The intensity of the kambo experience can vary widely from person to person due to factors such as individual sensitivity and variability in kambo potency. For this reason, it’s strongly recommended to start with a small dose (1 burn) to gauge one’s individual reaction. Like all drugs, allergic reactions can happen, producing adverse effects that are beyond the severity of the acute purging phase of the ceremony. 

TRADITIONAL CEREMONY

Using a sharp knife, the dried sapo is reconstituted with saliva or water into a paste with the consistency and appearance of wasabi mustard. The kambo practitioner then heats up a stick (usually of the tamishi vine) until it is glowing red-hot. The smoldering stick is applied to the body, traditionally the upper arm or chest. From here, the top layer of skin is scraped away, leaving roughly ⅛ inch burn points. Usually, between 3-6 points are made, depending on an individual’s needs and experience with kambo. These points are arranged into rows known as “gates.” The wetted kambo is then dabbed onto the burn sites, completely covering them in a small mound roughly the size of a matchstick head (about 10mg). The burns expose capillaries in the subcutaneous layers of the skin so that the medicine can absorb into the lymphatic system and then into the bloodstream. The bioavailability is further aided by vasodilating peptides present in the kambo. The effects begin within seconds, and the kambo is wiped away from the arm no later than 15 minutes after the initial application. A circle from opening to close can be anywhere from 2-4 hours, with Kambo typically remaining on the skin for between 20-40 minutes. It is very common that once Kambo is removed from the skin, one recalibrates almost instantly.

The kambo experience can be difficult to navigate but ultimately rewarding. When properly administered, the effects are felt within 90 seconds. The most unpleasant effects last approximately 30-40 minutes. The acute cleansing intoxication phase lasts about 15 minutes and is nearly always characterized by an intense period of purging (vomiting, urination, and defecation). A range of other intense gastrointestinal and cardiovascular effects occur once the drug is placed on the skin, including: Increased body temperature, Increased heart rate, Sweating, Large fluctuations in blood pressure, Spreading of burning or tingling sensations, Increased awareness of vasculature, Shivering, Dizziness, Stomach cramps, Loss of control of bodily functions, Facial swelling (‘frog face’), Dissociation, Feelings of drunkenness or spaciness, Animalistic vocalizations (barking, growling), While the initial experience resembles temporary anaphylactic shock, the effects are due to the pharmacological action of the bioactive peptides present in the kambo. 

After the initial unpleasant effects, many people report feeling exhausted and just wanting to sleep. Others, like myself, report a mood lift, vivid sensory enhancement, and overall bodily rejuvenation. These positive effects may be immediate or may take a day or more to manifest. In his book Sapo in My Soul, Peter Gorman describes the immediate after-effects after his first sapo experience with the Matses tribe, stating, “Every sense I possessed was heightened and in tune with the environment as though the sapo put the rhythm of the jungle into my blood.” Other kambo after-effects can include: Increased stamina, Enhanced vitality, Heightened alertness, Resistance to stress, Increase in physical strength, Resistance to hunger and thirst, Enhanced focus, and feeling emotionally and/or physically cleansed. Overall, the effects can be very different from person to person, depending on idiosyncratic reactions and the amount and size of the points applied. The purity and potency of the kambo can influence the effect profile as well. These factors may vary significantly depending on how it’s stored as well as the specific frog and milking methods.

ABOUT RAPÉ

Rapé is the general name given to medicines that are grinded into fine powder and then blown into both nostrils. Most rapés are made with tobacco and other ingredients. All tribes that work with kambo use at least one type of rapé. There are also very powerful and visionary medicines that can be considered rapé like yopo or virola which contain tryptamines. Rapé can trigger or deepen the purge and discharge all the toxins that the organs release when it is not happening by itself, It can also be offered when there is more to purge. Rapé from the yawanawa and Kaxinawa (Huni Kuin) tribes is prepared with lots of prayers, respect and lots of focused attention and intention to be a helpful medicine. This medicine is composed of sacred tobacco and the ashes of other plants, which is considered to remedy many ailments. Rapé can help in many ways and the spirit of this grandfather assists us by helping us to move the energy that is blocked or when we feel stuck during a ceremony with kambo and with ayahuasca. I personally use it for open and close ceremonies for a more connected and transcendent experience. 

ABOUT SANANGA

Sananga is a tropical plant that grows along the Amazon rivers in South America.

This powerful sacred medicine of shamans is used for various medicinal purposes ranging from healing physical and spiritual ailments. It is used for clearing the mind and energies and obtaining a complete new form of perception and approach. Sananga can be applied to the eyes, but there are many ways to use this sacred plant. The pure spirit of Sananga supports a deep cleansing of the blocked energies on the emotional, physical and spiritual levels. Sananga can balance and increase your energies, and find the roots of your illnesses and blockages, leading to complete balance, concentration and peace of mind. Furthermore, the drops will expand your vision and spiritual awareness, and enhance your ability to read other people's intentions. This magical medicine is indicated in cases of serious eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts and blindness. Although Sananga is famous for its effects on vision and visualization, this medicine is considered an indigenous multipurpose remedy. It is applied for febrifugal diseases, emetics, diuretics, painkillers and several others.

ABOUT DRAGONS BLOOD

Dragon’s blood is a natural plant resin. It’s dark red in color, which is part of what gives dragon’s blood its name. The resin is extracted from many different tropical tree species commonly called dragon trees. These may come from the plant groups Croton, Pterocarpus, Daemonorops, or Dracaena. Studies regarding this plant date back to the late 1970s. Preparations made from dragon's blood are found in several pharmaceutical products, some of them patented. Dragon's blood has been used for its antiviral and wound-healing effects. Taspine, a component of dragon's blood, has been documented to have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing actions. Dragon's blood also plays a role in GI health. Practitioners are reporting it is beneficial for stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease when taken internally. This important "rainforest resource" has several uses that have been validated by several studies. The plant resin was formerly ascribed cure-all properties, though this is not the case anymore. It is thought to speed wound healing, and some healers use it for respiratory issues. Dragon’s blood was also employed for different gastrointestinal conditions. Its claimed benefits for the digestive system are still held to this day, along with many other touted benefits. 

Dragon's blood also is known as sangre de grado, sangre de drago, and drago. As you can probably guess, Dragon's Blood is associated with the element of fire, so you can use it on your altar to represent fire in the absence of a candle, or use it in rituals that involve flames, the sun, heat, or power. The resin continues to be an important feature in certain spiritual practices, too. These include wiccan, hoodoo, voodoo, shamanism, and certain other folk magic rituals. Here are 5 additional ways to use Dragon's Blood in your life and magical practice: 

🐉 Add it to an herbal blend of incense, to give your magic an extra boost

🐉 Use Dragon's Blood ink in spellwork that involves writing things down, such as names or your intentions to live your best life

🐉 Anoint yourself with Dragon's Blood oil for empowerment and protection when you're doing any sort of dream journeys or astral travel

🐉 Some traditions use Dragon's Blood in love spells, particularly if you hope to receive a marriage proposal

🐉 Use it in an herbal sachet for healing magic related to bleeding, especially involving women's moon cycles and, or reproductive issues

PRICING 

Kambo treatments don’t come cheap. They can often run around $400 USD depending on the style of treatment and your practitioner. Many people purchase numerous kambo sessions in bulk, which reduces the price per session. And no, insurance does not cover kambo treatments. The truth is, it's worth every non-existent penny. It's an investment into your body that keeps giving. Some Kambo practitioners like myself, also offer rapé, sanaga, and more. Is a lack of money holding you back? reach out to me directly so we can start exploring options.

EG KAMBO

Kambo ceremonies can be prerogative which scares a lot of people so I found a way to make this experience more meditative. Also, I have warrior stencils to choose from so you will receive markings you truly love to look at. In this sacred ceremony, we will be connecting with the spirit of the frog, also known as Kambo or Sapo in the Amazon jungle. Ceremony may take anywhere from 3 - 6 hours for a group, and 1 - 3 hours for a private session. If you are feeling called to do the deep work of 3 sessions within a moon cycle (this is the strongest way to work with Kambo). This is an example of how ceremony often flows: 

🐸 Opening the space with smudging, a Reiki body scan, and meditation. Invocation for healing, inviting in the elements, set and setting. Sharing of intentions and prayers for clients personal journey. Opportunity to work with Rapé (medicinal tobacco snuff) and, or Sananga. 

🐸 Burning of the dots on skin, "opening the gates". Points of contact for the practitioner to apple the medicine directly. 

🐸 Application of Kambo Secretion onto gates. The first 2-3 min you may experience a rush of heat, an increase of heart rate, discomfort and nausea. Then for about 15 - 30 minutes, an inward journey with Frog Spirit accompanied with physical, emotional, energetic and spiritual purge. Guided assistance by myself that includes music and chakra healing. After 15 - 60 min, you may experience relaxation, calmness, clarity, increased sensitivity, need for rest, inner peace, change in perception, pain relief.

🐸 After the ceremony and for the following 1 to 2 weeks it is common to feel lighter and brighter, experiencing more ease, flow, greater awareness, spiritual connection, confidence, higher levels of discernment, and vitality – aka Kambo Glow. During this integrative time and beyond, I stay around to support you and your beautiful soul. 

We will have the opportunity to solidify your intentions for the work before and during your Kambo ceremony. Asking yourself what am I calling in and what am I releasing? It is a good place to start. You could easily begin meditating and journaling on this beforehand, and feel free to contact me at 1(705)956-0647 or ashley@elementalgrowth.org with any other questions you might have.

🎶 Kambo, Kambo... Cleanse my body, heal my soul 🎶

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

https://www.wayofthekambo.com/the-ceremony.html

https://reikishamanichealing.com/sananga-shamanic-eye-drops/