Kambo is a natural secretion from the Phyllomedusa bicolor (giant monkey tree frog) that has been used for centuries by indigenous tribes in the Amazon. Traditionally, it has been applied in sacred ceremonies for cleansing, strengthening the body, and removing energetic blockages.

Today, Kambo is sought after by people around the world for its powerful detoxification effects, immune support, and ability to reset the nervous system.

As frustration grows with the limitations of the modern medical system — especially in the Western world — more people are seeking alternative approaches that address not just symptoms, but the root causes of their discomfort. Many who have struggled with chronic health issues, emotional stagnation, or high stress levels turn to Kambo as a way to regain a sense of balance and vitality.

For a more comprehensive look into how Kambo’s peptides work in the body:

Kambo is scientifically known as Phyllomedusa bicolor, which loosely translates to “guardian of the leaves.” This species (also known as the Giant Green Monkey Tree Frog) lives high in the canopy of the Amazon rainforest, particularly in the Upper Amazon regions of Brazil, Peru, and surrounding areas.

These frogs are mostly nocturnal and tend to stay well hidden among the trees, where they’re naturally abundant due to having very few predators. While the frogs themselves are not currently endangered, the greatest threat they face is the continued destruction of their natural rainforest habitat.

Kambo has been used for centuries by various indigenous tribes of the Amazon, including the Matsés, Katukina, Yawanawá, and Kaxinawá (Huni Kuin) peoples. For these tribes, Kambo is not just a physical medicine — it is a sacred practice that plays an important role in their spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.

Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on symptom management, indigenous healing traditions view health as a balance between body, mind, spirit, and nature. Kambo is traditionally used to restore this balance, cleanse the body, and strengthen the individual.

Kambo has a long and rich history, rooted in the traditions of several Indigenous Amazonian tribes. One of the earliest Western documentations of its use came from the late Peter Gorman, a journalist and adventurer who worked closely with the Matsés people in Peru. Gorman was one of the first to bring a sample of Kambo (also known as Sapo) into a lab setting, helping to spark scientific interest in the bioactive peptides within the secretion. His experiences are captured in his books Sapo In My Soul: The Matsés Frog Medicine and Ayahuasca in My Blood: 25 Years of Medicine Dreaming.

In traditional settings, Kambo has been used for generations as a form of folk medicine — taught and passed down within families and communities. It’s often applied to enhance stamina, focus, and clarity, particularly before hunting. Tribes believed Kambo sharpened their senses, suppressed hunger and fatigue, and even masked their scent, making them "invisible" to animals. This is why you may hear it described as “Hunting Magic.”

Beyond its physical benefits, Kambo has been used for treating fevers, infections, snake bites, and malaria, and as a way to clear what many tribes refer to as "Panema" — a kind of heavy, stagnant energy that clouds the mind and spirit. In various oral histories, it's also been used in rituals tied to fertility, behavioral guidance, emotional clearing, and deep energetic cleansing.

The frogs are mainly nocturnal and reside high up in the trees. Since they have few natural predators, they are found in abundance — the only current threat to the Kambo frog is the potential destruction of its habitat. The indigenous tribes who have worked with Kambo for generations consider these frogs sacred, and their goal is to maintain a healthy, symbiotic relationship with them, as it's also believed that harming them would dishonor the spirits of the jungle and disrupt the sacred balance between humans and nature. Ethical gatherers treat the frogs with care, respect, and deep reverence.

The process of gathering Kambo secretion looks like this:


✔ The frogs are carefully called down from the treetops by imitating the frogs’ vocalizations.

✔ They are never harmed or injured—instead, they are held gently, lightly stimulated or “tickled” in order for the secretion to be carefully and gently collected from their back and legs.

✔ Before the frog is released back into the forest, the frog is marked with a small, harmless rope around one of its legs. This ensures that the same frog is not disturbed again for a minimum of 2-3 months. Since the frog’s secretion is its natural defense mechanism, it needs time to regenerate it before it can protect itself in the wild. Ethical harvesters respect this process, ensuring that the frogs are left alone until their secretion is fully restored, allowing them to remain healthy and safe in their environment.

The secretion used at Kambo Works comes from highly ethical sources, with personal videos sent showing the process — including the man who collects the secretion while kissing the frogs, gently comforting them, and showing the deep respect they deserve. Unfortunately, in some cases of untrained or exploitative harvesting, frogs may have been harmed. This is not the norm and not how Kambo Works operates.

As Kambo has gained popularity outside of the Amazon, not all sources are ethical. Some people have exploited Kambo’s growing demand without respecting its cultural significance, traditional application, or the well-being of the frogs themselves.

Kambo Works is committed to:

✔ Only sourcing Kambo from ethical, indigenous-run suppliers who harvest with care and respect

✔ Acknowledging the indigenous roots of Kambo and honoring its history.


✔ Educating others about Kambo’s traditional use, rather than allowing misinformation to spread.

It is essential that Kambo practitioners in the Western world respect and honor its origins, rather than treating it as a "trendy" wellness practice. This medicine has been shared with the world, and it is our responsibility to treat it with the same care and reverence that the indigenous communities have for centuries.

⚠️ Important Note ⚠️

Kambo is not considered a “drug” or a psychedelic — it is a medicine and a spiritual practice with deep cultural roots. Unlike hallucinogenic plant medicines like Ayahuasca, Kambo is not psychoactive.