Case Study: Kambo In The West: Balancing Western Applications With Tribal Knowledge

Kambo In the West: Balancing Western Applications With Tribal Knowledge

If you are seeking an alternative to western medicine, then you may have come across kambo in your research. Whether it is because you are excited to try something new, desperate for a medicine that works for your ailments, or want an authentic spiritual experience, you may be tempted to sign up for the first kambo ceremony you can find. But it is important to realize that a quick pilgrimage to Peru or a continued relationship with your local practitioner may have vastly different results for you. In order to choose the best practitioner for you, it is important that you understand the various perspectives on the history and use of kambo.

Kambo is a powerful medicine
Using kambo effectively involves adjusting the amount of kambo for a specific person and disease as well as adjusting the placement of the kambo. It is important to note that western scientists have been studying the structure of kambo for decades and while many specific peptides have been isolated, no effective medicines have been patented based on kambo. Although kambo has been shown to be effective against certain ailments, most of the knowledge regarding its application is passed on orally through Amazonian tribes. Amazonian shamans who have been working with raw kambo for years are more likely than Western practitioners to be familiar with the medicine and know how to use it to effectively treat a variety of ailments. The exception to this is if a western practitioner has studied intensively under an Amazonian shaman. But it may not be an option for you to travel to a traditional shaman, especially if you require several applications of kambo over a long time period. While not everyone can make a journey to the Amazon for a traditional kambo ceremony, you should try to find an experienced practitioner trained with traditional knowledge to conduct your
Not only is it fair to give credit and financial compensation to the tribes who have discovered and developed kambo as a medicine, but it is also important for the continued use of kambo. Because kambo cannot be produced synthetically, it is important to harvest it in a sustainable manner. Traditionally, tribal members collect the frogs that produce the poison and gently scrape off the poison, not harming the frog. They then mark the frog they have harvested and release it into the wild. Over time, the mark on the frog will fade and when it is no longer there, that particular frog can be harvested again. This method of harvest ensures that there is continued production of kambo without harming the frog