Thursday, May 23, 2013

Kambo Frog Medicine From the Amazon

A calling to Kambo.
The ayahuasca ceremony had ended. Together we sit reverently in the dark. Our minds free of judgment and blissfully open to inspiration. In loving embrace, heart to heart, brothers and sisters begin to hug, cry, smile and share.

The union of our humanity is plain for all to see. The desires of our true hearts flow freely from our lips. We're within a bliss of connecting to people where only this true heart is pressent and all past conditioning is abandon. Here we inspire each other to seek the deepest depths and the highest peeks within us. We feel more safe to "just be" then ever before and we long to keep and share this love for all of our days. 

At my request Milagros a beautiful, inspired women begins to share her story of the Sapo (Kambo) medicine with us. Listening intently I felt Seans energy radiating stronger and stronger as she passionately describes the effects on the body when the poison of an Amazon tree frog is ceremonially administered to her. Using an incense, they burn, starting with four small points, on your skin. Shortly after, they administer the frog poison to the burns which quickly absorbs into the blood stream. Swelling, heart beets heavy like a drum, purging,  cleansing, clarity and healing are some things that result. Lacking the words to describe the feeling, I was definitely intrigued but at the moment Sean seemed overwhelmed with a magnetic like pole or electric current binding him to her story. His eyes were locked, his heart was whispering and his sole seeming to reach out in conformation of something long sought within. 

Weeks past after the first mention of this medicine at the ceremony but the story radiated within Sean as he let the words flow repidedly through his mind and payed close attention to his spirit as he thought deeply about seeking the medicine for his own healing. As the days past he read and meditated on the idea. Soon he was seeking out the medicine sure he was feeling inspired to do so. He was offered opportunity with others but felt he knew it should be with Adrian, who Milagros had mentioned. So he waited as patiently as he could while it seemed his sole was yearning to connect with the medicine. Adrian was out of the country for some time and when he finally responded to Seans email, a sense of relief and calming peace came over him. He was willing and ready.

What is Kambo and Why use it? 
I will reference an article written by Giovanni Lattanzi. Here he goes into great depths of scientific studies and medical uses of the medicine Kambo.

Kambô: Scientific Research and Healing Treatments
by Giovanni Lattanzi 
(Article translated from Spanish and edited from the original)
‘Kambô’, ‘campu’, ‘sapo’, ‘vacino da floresta.’ These are all names for the waxy secretion of a tree frog living in the northwestern part of the Amazon rainforest (in Colombia and on the border between Peru and Brazil). The scientific name for this frog is ‘Phyllomedusa bicolor’ or ‘Giant Monkey frog’. In this article, I will use the name ‘Kambô.’ Originally, 53 tribes used this secretion but now only 13 small tribes still use it. It is used to get rid of ‘panema’, the name they give to bad luck, as well as for ‘hunting magic’ and as a powerful medicine against snake bites, malaria, yellow fever and other epidemic diseases.
Scientific research on kambô: nine powerful bio-active peptides
Scientific research on the secretion of this frog started in the 1980’s. Nominated for the Nobel prize, Italian scientist Vittorio Erspamer of the University of Rome wrote that this secretion contains a ‘fantastic chemical cocktail with potential medical applications, unequaled by any other amphibian’ (1). ‘Among the several dozen peptides found in kambô, up to 7% are bio-active.’(1) They bind with receptor sites situated in the brain, triggering chemical reactions in the human body. So far, researchers have found nine bio- active peptides that have a potent effect on the gastrointestinal muscles, gastric and pancreatic secretions, blood circulation, and on the stimulation of the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland.
‘Phyllomedusin strongly affects intestines, bowels and contributes to deep purging. Phyllokinin and phyllomedusin are potent vessel dilators, increasing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. This facilitates access to the brain of these two, as well as the other active peptides. Caerulein and sauvagine cause a fall in blood pressure accompanied by tachycardia. They stimulate the adrenal cortex and the pituitary gland, contributing to heightened sensory perception and increased stamina. Both of these peptides have a strong analgesic effect, enhance endurance, increase physical strength and in general, enhance the capacity to face pain and stressful situations. They possess medical potential as digestive aids, and have demonstrated analgesic effects for those with renal colic, pain due to peripheral vascular insufficiency and cancer pain. Dermorphin and deltorphin are potent opioid peptides 4000 times stronger than morphine and 40 times stronger than endogenic b-endorphines. (1).
In the 1990’s, a new peptide, adenoregulin, was discovered by John Daly’s team at the National Institute of Health in the USA. Adenoregulin works in the human body through the adenosine receptors, a fundamental component in all human cell fuel. These receptors can offer a target for treating depression, stroke seizures and cognitive loss ailments such as Alzheimer’s disease. Scientific research on the peptides of kambô are opening up new perspectives on how the human brain works. The properties of kambô peptides cover a wide range of potential medical uses: treatment of brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, depression, migraines, blood circulation problems, vascular insufficiency, organ diseases, skin and eyes issues, fertility problems in women and men, AID’s, hepatitis, cancer, etc.
Other interesting medicinal properties of this secretion are its anti-inflammatory effects, its capacity to destroy microbes and viruses and heal infections. (1) Due to the presence of these nine peptides, kambô is one of the strongest natural antibiotics and anesthetics found in the world and one of the strongest, natural ways to empower our immune system. The kambô treatments have short and long term effects. ‘Short term, the effects are a state of alertness, good mood, enhanced resistance to tiredness, hunger and thirst’ (1), the capacity to easily concentrate and focus, and a still mind which can last for several days or weeks. Long term, kambô empowers the immune system, overcomes fatigue and improves one’s state of health.

With kambô, we have the opportunity to wake up the body to its full natural potential. The people who regularly receive this ‘vaccine’ do not get sick and have plenty of energy. Restoring a natural balance, it prevents the onset of complaints induced by viruses. Even cancer does not have a chance to grow, in some cases.  In the case of heavy diseases,1
addictions or accumulated toxins from pharmaceutical medicines, it may be helpful to double the treatments. In this way, the cleansing effects of the kambô treatments will build on one another and will last longer.
During a treatment, kambô immediately scans a person’s energy field and starts to work exactly where it is needed. The process is different for everyone and the course of treatment should be planned accordingly. I have witnessed some people getting healed in one treatment, especially those with eye or ear problems. For people with addictions, results can also happen fast. Complicated cases may take longer. We may call this frog secretion a medicine, but it doesn’t actually work as a typical medicine nor as a drug. It simply wakes up the body’s organs, endocrine system and defense systems to their natural functions.
How the indigenous tribes of the Amazon do it
‘Although difficult, the frogs can be found on the trees when they are singing, announcing the rain. The tribe members traditionally harvest the frog at dawn, also singing.’(2) In some traditions only the shaman crops the frog. The frogs are extremely poisonous and don’t react when captured because they don’t have any natural predators in the forest. They are actually hard to swallow, and if a snake tries, it desperately spits them out.
To harvest the secretion from the frog’s skin, the frog is stretched by strings tied to its limbs into the shape of an X. As uncomfortable as it may look, the frog is not harmed during this process, and is released afterwards in perfect health. The secretion is crystallized onto wooden sticks and can later be prepared for use by mixing the dried secretion with a few drops of water.
The ‘medicine’ is applied by burning tiny holes in the skin with the tip of a glowing stick. The effect is immediate, as it runs in the body through the lymphatic system. The body becomes warm and the heart beats faster than normal until the person vomits the water they had been drinking in advance. All this lasts about 15-20 minutes.
Kambô, as well as other native medicines, is based on the principle of the transmission of energy from the shaman to the person who receives the treatment. The indigenous people know different ways to give this vaccine and every tribe has developed different rituals. The Katukina and the Matses tribes take kambô burns several times a night before hunting. The number of burns, the frequency of the treatments and the intention varies in each tribe. 
According to the indigenous people, kambô is first and foremost a Spirit of the forest who is to be treated with respect. Harming the frog could offend the animal and result in severe misfortune. 
To continue reading this article click here: Kambo
Other Benefits of using Kambo:
*Cleanses Energy Fields
*Re-aligns the Chakras 
*Helps and may heal psychosomatic imbalances
Sean Explains His Experience with Kambo.
I want to first off thank Adrian and Malvina for their sharing of this powerful medicine. Malvina and Adrian work so well together as a team using there Icaros and medicine gifts to hold perfect space for transformation.
I will try and explain parts of my experience but this is not an exact explanation of how the ceremony is run and it's different for each individuals experience each time.
As I sat in this small, dedicated, medicine room listening to Adrian discuss what this medicine is he relayed the symptoms you might expect as a normal process of this medicine and we set our intentions. I kind of felt like I was facing a fighting situation in which I knew my butt was going to get kicked but that it would be a good thing if I could have the courage to go. However, I was drawn to this medicine and I knew it would be a great blessing to me. This belief was all I had to keep me calm and relaxed or at least for a moment. I was so grateful Shell was in the room with me as a support and holding space, she really gave me strength and it was a reminder of why I was doing this in the first place.
Adrian approached me with this bamboo stick that had the resin of the frog poison. He had wet the stick to moisten the poison and then scraped four small dots on the wood. He then took a dried vine and held it over the candle flame until it was red hot and burned four dots on my forearm. He picked the burnt  flesh away so to expose the under layer of skin and tiny capillaries. The prepared dots of poison were  then placed on the exposed skin and I prepared for what was to come. Adrian blessed everyone participating and the ceremony began. I could immediately feel a hot stinging sensation where the medicine was administered and slowly a swelling in my arms that lead up to my head.  It intensified very quickly. My temptature raised and I could feel my body begin to sweat. My heart beat was strong and heavy. I now felt out of control as if I was being consumed and there was nothing I could do about it except to just surrender to this process. This feeling is quite overwhelming and the need to be in control is a natural instinct. My initial response was "Fight or flight", except I could do neither. This led to some of the most intense vomiting that I have ever experienced. I had a good size bucket and it was filling up fast. Bright green vomit just continued and I just tried to keep up but it was so overwhelming. My thoughts at this point are hard to describe but it was clear to me that I was purging some very negative energy both spiritually and physically. I could feel the weight of something I have carried within being purged, I was in a cleansing process. This process continued for what felt like forever. I had no sense of time and eventually got enough strength to sit up and just breathe. I never was so greatful to just be alive and breathing. At some point I became more aware of my surroundings and I could feel the loving touch of my Wife. It brought me to tears of gratitude for her and my beautiful kids.  I was so grateful for the medicine songs that were being sung, they seemed to ground me again. In reality the ceremony was only about and hour or so but it felt as if I had been doing emotional work for much longer. I know that this experience may sound a bit intense but as I look back I am so grateful for this medicine, and the clarity and strength that it brings. The medicine has a lasting effect in a way that I felt more open to see my reality and what I project as my reality into the next few days. I feel more conscious and less energetically or emotionally bogged down. I actually feel healthier. I continue to have feelings of gratitude enter my thoughts each day for this powerful work. This medicine has the power to heal or uplift in just one ceremony that otherwise might  take years of emotional work, meditation, therapy or otherwise to accomplish. I'm not saying this is the only way to find profound healing or enlightenment, I'm just saying its one very effective way that has the power to do so much in so little time. These plants and ancient medicines truly are a gift. Even though other societies have still found ways to pollute this sacred work or inner work rather, I feel that if you have a sincere intention the purity and truth seekers will be shown to you on your path. I do have a feeling that this special medicine will find it healing ways into many peoples life both to heal the emotional and physical ailments many are faced with. I'm so grateful Adrian has taken the time in his life to learn this medicine and be such a powerful facilitator of it. With his calm energy and truthful heart plane to see and feel, he's helped and inspired me in ways he's probably unaware of. Since this first ceremony I've participated in two more to complete the cycle. There's a lot of symbolism and meaning in the way you approach and take medicine. I'm just beginning to learn and look forward to understanding these mysteries a little more each ceremony. Thank you for allowing me to share this experience. God bless.
To get in touch with Adrian or Malvina go here: Doctorcito Kambo













Thursday, May 16, 2013

Quick Update

Im thankful to a very kind comment I received from an old friend who recently took interest in our blog and read the entire thing. I've had writers block, or no desire rather, to write in the past few weeks. After reading her encouraging words, a new spark had been lit and I'm grateful.

Some wonderfully incredible and ridiculously hard cerimonies that deserve a whole post of their own have taken place since last time I wrote. My little sister has been adjusting to life in Peru and seeking out her own adventures. The children have been growing like weeds and continuing to teach me to let go.

The weekend is drawing near and so is my anticipation and fear of what I've just signed up to do. Meditation has become a wonderful influence in our lives recently and we're just beginning to discover the magic and beauty of awakening our inner KUNDALINI.

I've felt for a while that this blog has more of a purpose then just to keep family and friends in the loop. I've yet to discover the full purpose and maybe its something to do with discovering myself. In any case I'm looking forward to posting about our recent cerimonies and what is to come this weekend. If you're drawn to read the blog, we would be happy if you'd follow and or subscribe to the e-mail list so you dont miss a post. Thanks again truly to everyone who continues to follow our journey and send so much love and encouragement. We feel the positive energy in your words and are uplifted by them a million miles away. Love&Light.