Current Research
When molecular biologists analyzed the chemical makeup of Pyhllomedusa Bicolor's venom, they found that it contained new peptides with beneficial effects on the human body, such as 'treatment of brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, depression, migraines, blood circulation problems, vascular insufficiency, organ diseases, skin and eyes issues, fertility problems in women and men, AID’s, hepatitis, cancer, etcetera'. These peptides have been found to bind with receptor sites in the brain while triggering chemical reactions in the human body. There are dozens of peptides found in Kambo and of those, 7% are bioactive.
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Below are seven bioactive peptides that have a potent effect on the gastrointestinal muscles, gastric and pancreatic secretions, blood circulation, and on the stimulation of the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland within the human body.
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What are the functions of peptides in the body? Click here
Click on the individual peptides listed below for more information.
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Phyllocaerulein : A neuropeptide that stimulates the adrenal cortex and the pituitary gland. Phyllocaerulein causes a fall in blood pressure, tachycardia and has a potent action on the gastrointestinal system by contracting smooth muscles and stimulates gastric, biliary and pancreatic secretions.
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Phyllomedusin : A neuropeptide that strongly affects the salivary glands, tear ducts, intestines and bowels. A strong vasodilator and contributes to the sensations of "rushing or pounding" one feels as the secretion is absorbed.
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Phyllolitorin/Rohdei-Litorin : Neuropeptides that are from the Bombesins Family and are active in the central and peripheral nervous system. These stimulate gastric secretion and smooth muscle contractions.
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Dermorphin & Deltorphin : Heptapeptides with potent opiate-like activity on mu-type opioid receptors, which have potent analgesic and depressive effects. These are small peptides composed of 7 amino acids and are 4000 times more potent than morphine and 40 times more potent than the endogenous endorphins.
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Phyllokinin : A potent blood vessel dilators that also increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier.
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Adenoregulin (Dermaseptin B2): These substances are found to have an anti-bacterial effect and prevent the growth of tumors.
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Dermaseptin : Potent antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeast, fungi, protozoa and enveloped viruses.
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This is not an exhaustive list of all current research about Kambo. For more information about Kambo and other organizations supporting the protection of the Amazon and its people, please visit the links below
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In no way can the information above fully explain the years of study and research modern science has invested in Phyllomedusa Bicolor, and still, the research is nowhere near being finished. Although Kambo has been practiced for thousands of years, we as people of modern culture do not know the potential negative long term effects of Kambo and our bodies. Please note that Kambo is not a medical treatment and one should consult their health care provider in regards to their health plan. Kambo is a shamanic ritual and ceremony from the Amazon Rainforest and is not a medical treatment. It is highly recommended that all participants do their own research in regards to the potential risks and benefits of taking Kambo. As with all forms of healing and medicine (herbal or pharmaceutical), each must be taken with respect, self-awareness and with a trusted practitioner. IAKP practitioners do not diagnose, treat or cure physical or mental health concerns, offer health advice or prescribe medicines in any form
Ethically Sourced
To the indigenous people of the Amazon, the Kambo frog is a highly revered and respected spirit of the forest. Essentially, Kambo is the medicine in which a doctor would use to treat their patients...Without the proper tools and medicine, a Doctor doesn't have much to work with when treating a patient. As I have mentioned before, many tribes who utilize Kambo's healing properties refer to Kambo as, "Vacina da Floresta", or "Vaccine of the Forest" because of how powerful its effects are.
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I source the Kambo that I use in my ceremonies from the IAKP, who receives the Kambo sticks directly from the Matses Tribe. The Matses people live along the Upper Amazonian Javar River, an area where the Kambo frogs live and flourish. The frogs live high in the treetops where they gather to sing and announce the coming of the rains. The Matses wander into the jungle surrounding their homes and call to the frogs by imitating their croaking songs. As the call and response continues, the frogs crawl down from the treetops and greet those who call to them. The Kambo frogs are incredibly friendly and many tribes believe that the frogs come down to the tribes so they can offer their medicine to the people in need. Many people also believe that because the Kambo frogs do not have any predators, they are naturally docile and easy to handle.
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Once the frogs have been collected, they are taken back to the tribe's home where they are gently and carefully tied by each leg with palia (straw) strips that move the frog into an “x” shape. Although this may not sound very gentle, and yes the frog is put under some stress as their secretion is their defense mechanism, the frogs are not harmed. In fact, stretching the frogs in the "x" formation ensures that the frogs won't be injured when the tribespeople are "harvesting" the frog's secretion. Once their secretion is gently scraped off and left to dry on small flat sticks, the frogs are then released and returned back to their original home, unharmed.
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The palia straw that is tied to their extremities leaves behind a small white line on each leg which alerts anyone who is harvesting that the frog has already been harvested from and should be left alone. These lines generally fade between 1 and 3 months. The frogs are always treated with the utmost care and reverence as all of the tribes have a deep respect and love for them. To the people of the Amazon, the Kambo frogs are considered teachers, healers and the carriers of sacred medicine.
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For all of these reasons, Kambo that is collected from the tribes is considered 100% ethically harvested. The funds the Matses raise from harvesting are shared among the 14 communities (approx. 3,200 Matses) residing within their extensive homeland.
The IAKP, International Association of Kambo Practitioners, is a not for profit organization that is working to promote and encourage the safe and responsible use of Kambo through training, research, and professional practice. The organization as a whole is committed to ensuring the sustainability of the Amazon rainforest and the tribes themselves, as Kambo is their ancient medicine that they have protected for centuries and choose to generously share it with us.
The IAKP along with other key participants are currently working to provide the Matses tribe with better educational resources, while also teaching them sustainable farming techniques and bringing better healthcare to their remote villages. The lands of this tribe are located at the front lines of illegal logging and oil exploration...For years the Amazon rainforest has been threatened and this is still not only the number one threat to the Kambo frogs, the people of the Amazon but also to us--inhabitants of the earth. We need the Amazon.
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For more information about how you can help please follow the links www.iakp.org www.globalcitizen.org
Please note that Kambo is not a medical treatment and one should consult their health care provider in regards to their health plan or any cleansing program. Kambo is a shamanic ritual, indigenous vaccine and ceremonial practice from the Amazon Rainforest. Kambo is not a medical treatment. It is highly recommended that all participants do their own research in regards to the potential risks and benefits of receiving Kambo. As with all forms of healing and medicine (herbal or pharmaceutical), each must be taken with respect, self-awareness and with a trusted practitioner. IAKP practitioners do not diagnose, treat or cure physical or mental health concerns, offer health advice or recommendations and do not prescribe medicines in any form. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and all information on this website is provided for informational purposes only.