What is Kambo?
Kambo is a powerful natural medicine derived from the secretion of the Phyllomedusa bicolor frog, also known as the Giant Leaf or Kambo Frog. Found in the Amazon rainforest, this secretion contains a unique cocktail of bioactive peptides known for their detoxifying, immune-boosting, and healing properties.
Traditionally applied through small points on the skin, Kambo initiates a deep cleansing process—physically, emotionally, and energetically. It is known to clear out toxins, restore balance to the body, and awaken the spirit. People have reported a wide range of benefits from Kambo, including enhanced mental clarity, relief from depression, improved physical stamina, and emotional resilience. See "Benefits" for more.
The History of Kambo
Kambo has been used by Amazonian tribes for centuries as a sacred healing and hunting medicine. Originally used in tribal and hunting rituals to increase stamina, ward off illness, and sharpen the senses before long hunts, it was also believed to bring luck, fertility, and spiritual protection.
While over 50 tribes once used Kambo, today it is primarily preserved by a few, most notably the Matsés, Katukina, Yawanawá, Ashaninka, and Apurina. Each tribe has its own legends and rituals surrounding Kambo, passed down through generations. Despite their different stories, all tribes agree: Kambo is a medicine of immense power, wisdom, and connection to the forest.
​
The Legend of Chief Kampú
According to Matsés oral tradition, the story of Kambo begins with Shaman Kampú, a revered elder. During a time when his tribe was afflicted by deadly illnesses brought by the conquistadors from Portugal and Spain, Kampú ventured deep into the forest on a vision quest. Drinking ayahuasca, he prayed for a cure.
That night, a spirit of the forest appeared in his vision and led him to a towering tree. There, a small green frog descended onto his shoulder, the Phyllomedusa Bicolor Frog. The spirit told Kampú that this frog held the key to healing, and taught him how to safely extract and apply its secretion.
Kampú returned to his people and treated them with the frog medicine. Miraculously, the tribe was healed, not just of their physical illness, but also of their spiritual and emotional imbalances. The frog’s spirit became a powerful ally, and its medicine, a sacred gift.
To this day, the Matsés, and others who carry this tradition, see Kambo not merely as a detox but as a tool for transformation, reconnection, and spiritual awakening.