An Introduction to KAMBO
Iquitos, Peruvian Amazon Photographed by Vito Basso
What do you do for work?
I am an ayurvedic nutritionist, chef (cook privately for yoga/meditation and medicine retreats), kambo facilitator, and I cut hair a couple of days a week in NYC.
What is Kambo?
Kambo, also known as the giant green monkey frog , produces a waxy secretion that carries the reputation for being one of the most powerful natural substances to bring the mind-body-soul connection back into balance.
Traditionally, Kambo is used to ensure hunting success by increasing strength, energy, endurance, and heightening the senses, as well as being used as a general jungle medicine to treat snake bites, malaria, infections, pathogens and fever.
The secretion contains numerous bioactive peptides which trigger beneficial bodily responses conducive to systemic healing.
On a physical level, Kambo initiates a potent detoxification and cleansing process, carrying great potential to help those who suffer from many ailments.
The secretion is applied onto small burn sites (gates) and enters the body via the lymphatic system, where the effects are felt almost immediately.
A warmth and flushing of the skin often arises, with an increase in heart rate, sweating, nausea and heat, almost always ending in a purge. After the process you might feel full of energy or exhausted.
There’s tons of great scientific and medical papers on the different peptides that are in kambo.
These days you can find it pretty easily, there are practitioners all over the world or you can go straight to the source in the Amazon.
How did you get introduced to Kambo and how did you decide to become a practitioner?
I got introduced to it through word of mouth I guess.
About 11 years ago I had my first Ayahuasca experience which led me down a path of researching anything I can get my hands onto.
I heard about Kambo and its detoxifying capabilities and I was fascinated. I also loved how physical it was and how it worked on the body but also on the mind and spirit.
After receiving a bunch of sessions I knew I wanted to study it more deeply and was just called to work with it.
Soon thereafter Natalia (my girlfriend) and I started collaborating and holding a ceremony space together.
Can you briefly describe the effects of the medicine on the mind, body and spirit?
After Kambo enters the lymphatic system through the burns, a few physical symptoms begin to present themselves and typically last less than an hour.
The first is often a feeling of heat spreading through the body, followed by an increased heartbeat and decreased blood pressure. Many people feel pressure in their head and in other parts of their body.
The throat may begin to swell. This is normal, as are the other symptoms described, and it won’t completely shut. After a short period of time, these effects give way unto other healing responses: purging.
Kambo causes the body to release toxins, bacteria, and illness in the form of vomit and diarrhea. This has a profound healing effect. Traditionally, kambo tribes harvest it for immune system health, improved hunting ability, and clearing of negative energy.
The chemical makeup of Kambo includes several peptides that bind to receptors in our body. This creates reactions in our system, seen through the physical process of the ceremony and the long-lasting results. When you are done it feels like your body just went through a reboot.
After the session there is a sense of calm in the mind and body and the next couple of days you can feel full of energy or really tired. It all depends on the person and what they went through.
You could even feel a little sad or depressed if you were holding on to those emotions for a long time, it’s just working its way out so you can recognize it.
Traditionally, Kambo tribes harvest Kambo for immune system health, improved hunting ability, and clearing of negative energy.
What are some long term and short term effects of receiving Kambo?
I think it’s great as an immune booster and if you are not working on something particular, I feel it’s a good thing to do seasonally just to keep the body strong and reactive.
The medicine is intelligent and adapts to where your imbalances are. If the resistance is in the body, mind or spirit, Kambo will move it out instantly.
The long term effects, aside from healing, can be that you begin to perceive the world around you more consciously.
The medicine is intelligent and adapts to where your imbalances are. If the resistance is in the body, mind or spirit, Kambo will move it out instantly.
Can you share any info on the neurological effects of Kambo?
These are some of the peptides that are in kambo:
Phyllomedusin - has strong effects on the digestive system and plays a role in the emetic effect of Kambo application - the vomiting and purging that occurs during a Kambo ceremony - helping to cause gut contractions. Works together with Phyllokinin to cause the contraction and relaxation of muscles associated with these gut contractions.
Phyllokinin - has an impact on the dilation of blood vessels, causing greater blood-flow in the affected areas, and also has a part to play in allowing other peptides in Kambo to cross the blood-brain barrier, creating the means by which Kambo can influence the chemical balance of the brain, as well as the physical symptoms it induces in the body.
Phyllocarulein - another vaso-dilator that acts to increase blood-flow. Specifically helps to lower blood pressure (through the increased blood-flow), as well as influencing an increase in the flow of gut contents and the secretion of stomach acid. Has a role in stimulating both the pituitary gland, as well as the adrenal cortex, which also leads to some of its painkilling effects.
Adenoregulin - regulates the action of a series of different neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin, that has an initial calming effect that is later followed by increased focus, mental sharpness, and speed of response to external stimuli.
Deltorphins - helps to relieve pain and instills a sense of calm and even euphoric thoughts by its action on opioid receptors. Can have a positive influence on the addictive conditions of those with opiate dependence.
What would you say to people that are scared of trying Kambo? What is some general misinformation about Kambo?
That the benefits definitely outweigh the fear. It’s great to have a good meditation practice so that the mind doesn’t go to all those negative places.
We find when someone practices meditation or has already done other work like sweat lodges, plant medicines (ayahuasca, mushrooms, peyote, etc) that they tend to sit more calm.
Additionally, if someone really wants to try and are super scared or nervous they can try a micro dose, maybe just 1 point to get connected with the spirit, it won’t be a full session but it’s great to get your feet wet.
What precautions would you give for someone that wants to try Kambo?
To do your research, make sure you find a good practitioner.
Make sure you know why you want to do it.
Make sure you are strong mentally and physically and research the contraindications and see if kambo is a good fit for you.
How did you fall into the path of a healer and ceremony guide ?
Just riding the wave, I guess, everything just connected. I don’t really consider myself a healer, but I like to point people in the right direction on how they can heal themselves.
I believe we are our own healers and we can do amazing things if we just tune in to that inner wisdom.
Tell us a little bit about what is a normal day for you:
I love my mornings! It’s such a sacred space for me. My morning ritual sets the tone for the day.
I wake up around 5:30/6 am, usually before the sun is up, when it’s nice and quiet and the vibe is super chill.
I follow an ayurvedic routine (dinacharya which translates to daily routine) that’s meant to maintain physical health and allows the body to be in tune with the cycles of nature, promoting optimal wellness.
I scrape my tongue with a copper tongue scraper, which removes bacteria, improves the sense of taste and gently stimulates the organs.
Then I oil pull with sesame oil for 10 minutes which promotes fresh breath, healthy teeth, gums and sinuses. After, I drink a big glass of warm water with sea salt and lemon and then I do some pranayama (breath work) finishing with a meditation.
After my morning routine, I start my day with a nice strong cup of coffee which is a whole other ritual.
Then I do some sort of physical exercise: run, bike, weights, yoga or I go for a hike.
After that it really depends on the day and what work I have , it changes day by day.
JOEY TASCA
Describe your life mission:
I never think of having a “life’s mission” because things are constantly changing and evolving but when I keep exploring my Self, my mind, this planet, everything points me in the direction to help others.
What are your personal goals?
I want to buy a house somewhere surrounded by nature where I can live a self sustainable life with the nourishment of the land.
I want to start a family with Natalia and have our children grow surrounded by the lessons of nature. I’d love to host a variety of workshops and events where people can come learn, play, create, explore, eat great food, relax and heal.
I really love collaborating as well, it could be anything. Joining forces to create something new is pretty awesome.
It would be great to always be my own boss!
