I was a little sceptical when I was first told of kambo – a medicine derived from Amazonian frogs – and its success in treating pain. However, curiosity got the best of me, as it usually does and after doing more research online, I decided to give it a go. I guess after 30 odd years of severe lower back pain you’re prepared to try anything that might help, even the whacky stuff.
Kambo is a secretion from the giant monkey frog that lives in the north-west part of the Amazon. Traditionally it is used by tribes as a medicine against malaria and to gain strength and stamina. The frog is not harmed in the process of collecting the secretions and they’re collected on wooden sticks.
Scientific research started on this frog in 1980 and it is currently the subject of much research in medical use, although there have been studies of tribes using kambo since the 1930’s. It’s been found to contain several peptides that cause dramatic reactions in humans. The potent opiod peptides Dermorphin and Deltorphin are 4000 times stronger than morphine. Hence the powerful analgesic effects of the medicine.
Kambo also has anti-inflammatory effects, can heal infections and regulate blood pressure. There are potential uses for the treatment of Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease, depression, migraine, blood circulation problems, vascular insufficiency, organ diseases, cancer, and fertility problems in women, AIDS, hepatitis and more.
Kambo day arrived and I had a very light breakfast and drank loads of water as advised. I also took some time before Bruno, the medicine man, arrived to quieten myself and set an intention for the medicine to help my lower back pain, depression and also to cleanse and re-charge my immune system.
The medicine is administered by burning very small holes in the first two or three layers of skin either on the arm or the leg. I opted to have eight small circles burnt on my upper arm. Bruno mixed the dried serum with water and rubbed a small amount into each burn. Within seconds I felt it stinging and then a quickening of my carotid pulse. My face swelled a little and I felt a bit of a “rush” but these were not alarming feelings. My arms and face went very red, this was the “hot” fever I’d been told about and why I’d drunk so much water beforehand. Those feelings then subsided and I felt quite weak. I’d been told to expect quite a lot of purging but I had very little vomiting; maybe because I’d had such little food in the past 20 hours?
Bruno seemed surprised that the medicine seemed to take a while to work for me and we even considered doing some more but decided against it when low stomach cramps kicked in as the medicine moved through my body. These were like really bad period pains but I found that relaxing and breathing into it helped the pain subside. Upon visiting the bathroom for another purge I noticed that my face had gone deathly white. Even my lips were drained of blood and my face was still a little swollen. Not exactly a good look – even for an ex-goth!
After about ¾ hour all of the feelings passed. I took it easy for the rest of the day and I had a good night’s sleep. The following day I felt great, very upbeat and energetic and received a few compliments on how well I looked. My back pain has been substantially reduced.
The effects of kambo lasted seven days and during that time I took the same amount of medication – a range of dihydrocodeine, tramadol, anti-inflammatories and amitriptyline muscle relaxants that I’d usually take over two days, and that was during an incredibly stressful week with little chance to rest. Interestingly I suffered very few withdrawal effects during that week, just a couple of sweaty disturbed nights. To me, this is a mini miracle. It’s been over 15 years since my body was that free of narcotics and it loved it. My metabolism returned to normal and I slept much lighter and I’m sure I could hear my poor liver singing for joy.
I don’t think this is something to be undertaken lightly and obviously it’s not going to be for everyone. But I’d done my research, and had found someone knowledgeable whom I trusted. Bruno was great, very patient, attentive and informative. He made sure I was OK at every stage and even made me tea before he left. There has to be a month’s gap in between doses but I can’t wait to try it again, it was definitely worth feeling uncomfortable for 45 minutes.
copyright © sarah shivani williams 2011. all rights reserved.
