To apply kambo, small 'gates' are made on the skin with a quick touch of a hot stick, removing just the top layer of skin. There is no blood and generally no pain. Traditionally, males have kambo applied to their upper arm, and females to their leg. However, kambo can be applied almost anywhere. The pattern is up to you, and most people wear their kambo dots with pride - they fade away within a few months.

Kambo enters through the lymphatic system and comes on quickly. As the kambo begins activating systems and functions in your body, there is a warmth and flushing of the skin, increased heart rate, and rushing in the head and upper body. You may feel some stomach churning and nausea as your liver begins to cleanse itself into the stomach - a normal result of the peptides phyllomedusin and phyllocaerulein causing gastric secretions and smooth muscle contractions. Within 5 to 15 minutes of application you may feel the need to purge - we have buckets at the ready!

As Kambo usually involves a purge, it is performed only on an empty stomach (7 hours fasting). 1L water is drunk immediately prior, which provides a smooth vehicle for your body to purge with. While the thought of vomiting is unpleasant, it is actually a normal part of the process. Doing so allows waste toxins from your liver, cells (and sometimes emotional junk) to be expelled - more efficiently than through your intenstines where much of it is reabsorbed! You usually feel much better after this, and may start feeling blissful from the pain-relieving and dopamine-activating neuropeptides (more about that here). At this point, you are allowed to rest. The kambo is removed and your points are dabbed with 'dragons blood', an amazing sap used in the jungle for centuries to heal cuts, scratches, stings, ulcers, and more. Research has shown it to be analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and to greatly speed wound healing.

The kambo itself is usually over within 30 minutes, however the total time for a ceremony can last between 1 to 2 hours. Everything is provided, including a delicious smoothie and herbal tea to replenish you. While you are able to drive and return to normal activities after kambo, it is recommended that you take it easy. The days afterwards are when people generally begin to feel the real benefits of Kambo, feeling clean, clear, rejuvenated and energised. For some, the aftereffects are more subtle.

🐸 So how do you ensure Kambo is safe? 🐸