Friday, 20 September 2019 17:30

Healing with venom? What is the Kambo ceremony?

What is the Kambo ceremony What is the Kambo ceremony

Controversial methods of treatment which have their roots in shamanism have become a hot topic in the media recently. One of them is the Kambo ceremony, which involves the use of a certain species of Amazonian frog’s venom.

It is a controversial method since on the one hand, we hear about how beneficial it is for our body, and on the other, there have been reports that the ceremony may endanger our health and life, as was in the case of the thirty-year-old woman who after one of the ceremonies experienced cerebral edema and died. So what exactly is Kambo ceremony?

What is the Kombo ceremony and how does it work?

 Kambo is the name of a cleansing ritual in which venom from the Phyllomedusa bicolor, also known as the blue-and-yellow frog, is used. It is an amphibian from the hylid frog family. Its venom is secreted when the frog is in danger. South American Indians believe that this substance is one of the strongest naturally occurring antibiotics. According to their beliefs, it has an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effect. It is also effective against fungi. During the ceremony, the skin is burned with a red-hot wooden stick or a joss stick, as Indians believe this will protect against diseases such as Lyme disease, hepatitis, and malaria. According to many people, the substances which are contained in the venom allow for the treatment of cancer and Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and are beneficial against infertility.

Names of Indian tribes in South America

  • Ayoreo

    Bororo

    Charrúa

    Diaguita

    Ge

    Guarani

    Chocó

    Ajmara

    Amondawa

    Arawak

    Chono

    Czibcza

    Guaycuru

    Huaorani

    Indianie Guajiro

    Indianie leśni

    Jaganie

    Janomamowie

    Jiwaro

    Pano

    Pirahã

    Puelcze

    Tehuelcze

    Tukano

    Uru

    Warao

    Quimbaya

    Kagaba

    Kallawaja

    Karaibowie

    Záparo

    Karaja

    Keczua

    Kuikuro

    Kuna

    Mapuche

    Marubo

    Siriono

    Taironi

    Achuar

    Aikanã

    Yagua

Hot topic: Frog venom therapy - Kombo ritual

Unfortunately, the growing popularity of this treatment in the West has lead to cases in which the life and health of people undergoing this ceremony have been in danger.

The entire ceremony lasts about three hours. The frog’s venom often generates adverse effects such as vomiting and diarrhoea. This is the body’s natural way of getting rid of toxins. The first reactions occur about 20 minutes after the start of the ceremony, when the venom has penetrated into the bloodstream through the burnt wound. Experts suggest that the ceremony can be dangerous for the people living outside the Amazon rainforest because their bodies respond differently. Therefore, you need to be very careful when considering this kind of "therapy".

 
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