The Origin of Kambô
The Vaccine of the Forest
One of the sacred stories passed down through Indigenous tribes of the Amazon tells of the origin of Kambô, known as the "vaccine of the forest."
Long ago, the people of the rainforest suffered from a mysterious illness. Their healer, the Pajé, had tried every known medicinal plant, every prayer, and ritual — but nothing brought relief. The tribe grew weaker, and hope began to fade.
One night, guided by sacred plant medicines, the Pajé ventured deep into the forest in search of wisdom beyond the ordinary. There, he encountered a powerful forest spirit — a guardian of the natural world — who appeared holding a small green frog glowing with life.
From this frog, the spirit took a white secretion and gently showed the Pajé how and where to apply it on the body. She explained that this was not just a physical medicine but carried the force of the forest — a living intelligence working simultaneously on the body,
mind and spirit.
Following her instructions, the Pajé returned to his people, and to everyone’s amazement, healing began. Fevers subsided, strength returned, and life flowed back into the village.
Today, many Indigenous tribes across the Amazon — including the Yawanawá, Katukina, Matsés, Marubo, and others — continue to honor and work with Kambô. They understand that Kambô is much more than a secretion: it is a force, a spiritual and energetic ally that cleanses, strengthens, protects, and deeply connects us to the spirit of the forest.
From that day forward, the healer became known as Kampu, and the sacred secretion he received became known by his name — Kampu (widely known today as Kambô). It is said that after his death, Kampu’s spirit remained within the frog itself, continuing its healing work through this sacred secretion. For generations, Kambô has been passed down orally — from elder to apprentice, from heart to heart — as a living tradition of the forest.
About the Phyllomedusa
Bicolor Frog and the Secretion
Kambô is a secretion from one of the largest tree frogs known as the Giant Green Monkey Tree Frog, scientifically named Phyllomedusa bicolor. This secretion is neither sweat nor
poison in the usual sense — it alone does not cause death or illness. In the Amazon, Kambô is regarded as a sacred medicine, though this differs from the Western medical definition.
Those who administer Kambô are practitioners deeply trained in its traditional use, not doctors.
The frog itself is nocturnal and arboreal, living high in the trees, and is abundant throughout the upper Amazon regions of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, French Guiana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Due to its wide distribution and large population, it is classified as "Least Concern" by conservation organizations. The main threats to this species are natural
predators of their eggs and habitat destruction. Female frogs measure about 11–12 cm, males 9–10 cm, with vibrant green backs and creamy white bellies spotted with dark markings. They reproduce year-round, peaking from November to May, laying the largest egg clusters among Amazonian tree frogs in leaf nests above water. Tadpoles hatch within two weeks. It’s believed the frog’s secretion is derived from its diet, which explains why frogs removed from their natural environment do not produce it. When harvested properly, the frogs are never harmed.
Organizations like the IAKP collaborate with local communities to ensure that secretion collection respects and protects both the frogs and their vital rainforest habitat.
Potentials benefits of Kambô
Traditionally and clinically, Kambô is used to :
● Detoxify and cleanse the physical and energetic bodies
● Boost immune system function and overall vitality
● Release emotional blockages, alleviate depression, and
reduce anxiety
● Enhance focus, mental clarity, and fertility
● Support recovery from chronic conditions including
infections, inflammation,
migraines, and liver imbalances
● Foster reconnection with inner strength, courage, and
spiritual resilience
Kambô is more than a traditional medicine — it is a living force from the forest, working in harmony with those who approach it with respect and intention, offering profound healing and transformation.
Scientific Research
and Modern Use
Italian scientist Vittorio Erspamer of the University of Rome was the first to analyze Kambô in a laboratory setting. In 1986, he described it as a “ fantastic chemical cocktail with potential medical applications, unequalled by any other amphibian. ”
The compounds he identified — peptides — have been fundamental in understanding opioid receptors. Erspamer, twice nominated for a Nobel Prize and discoverer of serotonin, helped lay the groundwork for modern peptide research.
Since then, sixteen peptides have been isolated from Kambô secretion, and over seventy patents related to these compounds have been filed, mainly in the USA.
As Kambô’s popularity as a natural healing aid spreads worldwide, skilled practitioners develop new techniques to make it safer and more accessible. Traditional application methods have expanded to include working with energy pathways such as meridians, chakras, nadis, marma points, and even auricular (ear) Kambô. Innovations also allow for gentler experiences that still deliver profound benefits.
From a Western
Medicine Perspective
Kambô’s effects are linked to a unique blend of bioactive peptides in the secretion of Phyllomedusa bicolor. These compounds interact with the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems to promote deep cleansing and renewal.
Key peptides include :
● Phyllocaerulein — supports digestion, relieves
pain, and stimulates smooth muscle contractions to aid detoxification.
● Dermorphin & Deltorphin — natural opioid peptides that provide pain relief and mood enhancement.
● Adenoregulin — promotes cellular communication, potentially improving memory, awareness, and stress resilience.
● Sauvagine — regulates blood pressure and hormonal balance during stress.
● Tachykinins — modulate inflammation and support immune function.
The intense physical responses during a Kambô session — such as sweating, purging, and increased heart rate — are part of a powerful detoxification process. These effects are typically short-lived but often leave users feeling refreshed, renewed, and stronger.