A typical Kambo group ceremony lasts 3-4 hours (private sessions last about 2 hours). The time spent at the peak of the cleansing and purgative process can be as short as 10 minutes and as long as a couple of hours. Kambo is a very physical experience that involves a feeling of heat in the body usually, but not always, followed by vomiting and sometimes evacuating from the intestines. This is caused by the bioactive peptides found in the Kambo secretion.
Once the Kambo is applied to the skin, it enters the body via the lymphatic system. A feeling of warmth immediately follows. The face, skin, and core of the body will feel the heat within. The heart will beat faster. Blood pressure will fall slightly. Some people experience ringing behind the ears, tingling sensation, shivers and dizziness, and few may experience fainting. Fainting may happen as the blood pressure drops rapidly for some people and it is temporary. I will be monitoring you throughout the entire process. So, breathe and relax into the experience. It is helpful to work with the breath: Inhale with love and trust, exhale, and surrender. It is a common experience that the throat will gently swell. This is normal. It will not swell shut. The face may also swell, what is commonly known as a frog face but it is temporary and it will return back to normal in time. Try to relax into the sensations and allow the ally of the Kambo Spirit to purify and fortify you.
After a few minutes or more, you may feel nauseous and purging may occur. You will have a bucket handy and you will purge into the bucket. You may also need to go to the bathroom. You will be assisted to do so.
A Word About the Purge:
Many people associate Kambo with a lot of vomiting and going to the bathroom to purge toxins and cleanse the body. Purging is a natural process in Kambo but it is not the primary goal of receiving Kambo. Enduring the intensity and energetic power of Kambo is the ultimate goal; sitting with the frog for 20-minutes, feeling the body and connecting deeper with the self.
Some people may feel the need to purge during their process while others don't or purge very little. This is completely normal. Your water consumption will be monitored to assist with the purge if necessary.
After 20-minutes, the Kambo points will be removed from your body and the major part of your cleanse is over. Rest is important after your Kambo experience. Some people recover in 45 minutes while others make take up to 90 minutes or more.
The after effects of Kambo varies by individual. In general, people report more clarity and focus and some say they receive specific messages. Kambo works mostly to help reset and restore the body and heaviness, and dullness of body, mind and spirit. The benefits that many reports usually come in the days and weeks that follow. Many people report feeling very peaceful immediately after receiving Kambo and often the next day one feels amazing.
Contraindications
Kambo has no known detrimental side effects, so when it is responsibly administered, it is completely safe. There are some people who should not take it; generally, it is not for you if you have, or have had in the past, any of the following conditions (This is not an exhaustive list):
· Heart bypass surgery.
· Enlarged heart.
· Implanted cardioverter defibrillators.
· Congestive heart disease.
· Excess fluid in the heart sack.
· Heart valve replacement surgery.
· Organ transplant.Active ulcers.
· Addison’s Disease.
· Crohn’s Disease/Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
· Brain hemorrhage.
· Blood clots.
· Serious mental health conditions, excluding depression, PTSD and anxiety.
· Lack the mental capacity to decide to take Kambo.
· Seriously low blood pressure that requires medication.
· Anyone recovering from a major surgical procedure.
· Pregnant or breastfeeding women with babies under 1-year old.
· Within 21 days of giving birth.
· Under 18 years of age.
· Chemotherapy or radiation treatments of less than 6 weeks prior or 6 weeks afterward.
* If you are asthmatic, be sure to bring your inhaler with you.
*Diabetics need to bring insulin, testing strips, and food.
CAUTIONS
· People taking dieting or sleeping supplements.
· Active drug or alcohol addiction.
· Do not do water- fast for 7 days before or after taking Kambo.
· Colonics, enemas, liver flushes, or any water-based detox or saunas should be avoided within 3 days before and after taking Kambo.
THIS IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE WATER ONLY FASTING YOU WILL DO 10-12-HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR SESSION (you can have water, but just the necessary to quench your thirst, during this time).
About Water Intake
Drinking water is part of the traditional Kambo process to facilitate the purge caused by the interaction with some bio-peptides that target the digestive tract, contracting the soft muscles. Without the water, the Kambo process can be too intense and cause unecessary discomfort to some people. However, excessive water consumption can be dangerous to the participant.
Follow the preparation guideliness to get you ready for your session.
Hydrate well days before your Kambo.
Limit your water intake the day of your Kambo to just necessary to quench your thirst.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: I WILL ASK YOU HOW MUCH WATER HAVE YOU DRANK BEFORE YOUR SESSION.
PLEASE BE HONEST. IF YOU LIE, YOU CAN DIE!
EXCESSIVE WATER INTAKE CAN CAUSE HYPONATREMIA, CAUSING THE SODIUM IN YOUR BLOOD TO BECOME DILUTED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOUR BODY'S WATER LEVEL RISE, AND YOUR CELLS BEGIN TO SWELL. THE SWELLLING CAN BE POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING*
IF YOU HAVE DRANK EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF WATER PRIOR TO YOUR SESSION, FOR YOUR SAFETY, I RESERVE THE RIGHT NOT TO SERVE YOU. YOUR SAFETY IS MY PRIORITY.
* Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyponatremia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373711
You and I will sit down and discuss your goals for this session, number of points and how much water to drink. About 15 minutes before receiving Kambo, you will be instructed to drink up to 1.5 liters of water.
It is STRONGLY ADVISED that you do not drink more than 4 liters of water during your session, including up to 2 hours before and after.
DO NOT consume alcohol or other recreational substances 24-48 hours before or after your Kambo session.
PREPARING FOR YOUR KAMBO CEREMONY
The Days Before (2-3 prior): Although there isn't a specific diet requirement pre-Kambo, eat as clean as possible in the days leading up to your Kambo ceremony. Diminish or eliminate fried, heavy, over-processed and spicy food, alcohol, and other recreational drugs.
Drink plenty of water so that your tissues are hydrated. Adding electrolytes (non-sugar) and liquid minerals to your water will help prepare your body.
NO COLONICS, ENEMAS, LIVER FLUSHES, OR WATER FASTING* WITHIN 3 DAYS (BEFORE AND AFTER) OF TAKING KAMBO. No hot tubs or saunas 1 day before. They disrupt your electrolyte balance, which can pose a severe risk to your health.
*With the exception of the 10-12 hours you will fast, drinking only water, before your Kambo session.
Do not eat anything for 10-12 hours before the ceremony.
Day of Ceremony: The day of the ceremony you will fast from food. You should not have eaten for 10-12 hours prior. If you have low blood sugar, have a cup of non-caffeinated herbal infusion with honey. Bring a snack for after your session. You are permitted to drink water during the 12-hour fast but not excessively. Drink only what's necessary. You will be drinking up to 1.5 liters of room temperature water within 15-minutes the Kambo is administered to you.
Don’t take any medications/supplements the morning of your session- you can take them after your session. Women who are menstruating- Kambo is a vasodilator and may cause increased flow for 24-36 hours. You may also get your period sooner than usual. Prepare to be there for at least 2 to 3 hours. It is recommended to have the rest of your day be relaxed and process.
What to Bring: ( some of these items will be provided, check with me prior of coming to your session)
· Two liters of room temperature water (I will instruct you when to start drinking your water and how much; it is approximately 15 minutes before I place the Kambo on your gates).
· A blanket and pillow (Optional items: yoga mat)
· Layered clothing for hot and cold temperature fluctuations (and a change of clothing in case yours gets soiled during your session)
· A contact lens case with solution added (if you choose to receive Sananga eye drops and wear contact lenses)
· A hair band or clip if your hair is long
During: Meditating with the breath is the best preparation for a Kambo ceremony. Breathe and invite the spirit of the Kambo into you, exhale and surrender your ego, your weight, your toxicity. Set your intentions. If you seek emotional release, try to focus on the feeling and bring it out as much as you can.
AFTER CARE OF BURN POINTS
When the points begin to heal, try not to remove the scabs or scratch, as this might lead to longer-term or permanent scarring. If they itch, you can apply some aloe vera which will also help the scabs dry out sooner. I prefer to only use Dragon’s Blood which I apply to the points.
Try to keep the area dry, except for bathing/showering. Keep abrasive clothing fabrics away from the area for about one week. The small burns will usually heal and fade with time, though it is important to understand that some types of skin will continue to show small dots months later. Many people see their Kambo scars as a badge of honor for going through this powerful experience.
AFTER YOUR SESSION
Stay off alcohol and recreational drugs for at least 24 hours after your session.
No sweat lodges the week before. No water fasting, liver flushes, enemas, or colonics 3 days before. No hot tubs or saunas 1 day before. They disrupt your electrolyte balance, which can pose a severe risk to your health.
It’s recommended to be gentle with yourself in the days following your experience, since you may be more sensitive. It’s good to spend time with yourself and connect with the spirit of Kambo, to receive any messages or insights. Spending quiet time with yourself in nature, going for walks, journaling, taking baths, meditating and such can be helpful in your integration.
Emotions from the past can surface and will need to be worked through in order to be released. It’s recommended to have friends, loved ones, coaches, and counselors to help support you in your integration. Be gentle with yourself for the first 72 hours after your Kambo session. There is much more happening in the energetic field during the hours after receiving Kambo. Some times you may feel energetic and eleated and other times more subdued, tired, even emotional. It gets better as the time passes, including any swelling ( Kambo frog face) Remember to be kind with yourself. Its a great time to go inwards, nourish your body with rest and good , clean food. A great time to feel alive and give yourself some well deserve self love.