When working with the sacred medicine of the Phyllomedusa bicolor, it is of upmost importance to be humble, authentic, and to work with integrity. We are honored, not entitled, to be able to sit with this medicine and so it is important to know where it comes from, how it's harvested, and to honor the sacred traditions of the Matses. The Matses passed down their knowledge to my teacher, who in turn taught me how to work with Kambo in ceremony for myself and others.
The Phyllomedusa bicolor, or Giant Monkey Frog, holds a sacred place in the lives of the Matses people, an Indigenous community of the Amazon rainforest. Known for its bright green skin and powerful secretion, this amphibian is at the heart of a centuries-old practice of healing and spiritual alignment. The Matses’ relationship with the frog reflects a deep understanding of the rainforest’s interconnectedness and their respect for its creatures.
The Legend of Kampu: A Story of Healing and Vision
The origins of Kambo, the frog’s medicine, lie in the story of Kampu, a legendary healer of the Matses people. Kampu lived in harmony with the forest, using his knowledge of plants and spirits to care for his community. When Westerners introduced new diseases to the Amazon, the Matses faced devastating illnesses that Kampu’s existing remedies could not cure.
Desperate for a solution, Kampu turned to Ayahuasca, the sacred visionary brew. Through deep communion with the spiritual realms, he encountered the spirit of the Phyllomedusa bicolor. In his visions, the frog spirit taught him how to collect and use its secretion, revealing its remarkable healing properties and guiding Kampu in the rituals required to honor the frog and its medicine.
Following the spirit’s instructions, Kampu successfully healed his people, establishing Kambo as a vital part of the Matses' traditions. For generations, the Matses have carried on this sacred practice, using Kambo to address physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges.
Working with Kambo: The Sacred Medicine of the Phyllomedusa bicolor
For the Matses, Kambo is far more than a remedy for illness—it is a holistic tool for purification, vitality, and focus. Their use of the medicine extends beyond personal healing into areas such as hunting, energy alignment, and communal well-being.
Hunting Preparation: One of the primary traditional uses of Kambo is as a preparation for hunting. The Matses believe that the frog’s medicine sharpens their senses, enhances endurance, and improves their focus, enabling them to move silently and efficiently through the rainforest. Hunters often undergo a Kambo ceremony before setting out, entering a heightened state of physical and mental clarity.
Removing Laziness and Bad Energy: The Matses also use Kambo to combat a state they call panema, which they describe as laziness or the accumulation of bad energy. This condition is believed to block the flow of vitality and hinder a person’s ability to contribute fully to the community. By applying Kambo, they seek to purge these blockages, renewing the individual’s energy and fostering a sense of purpose and connection.
Cleansing and Spiritual Alignment: Kambo is a powerful tool for clearing both physical toxins and spiritual impurities. The intense purging that often accompanies a Kambo ceremony is viewed not as a side effect but as an essential part of the healing process, a way to rid the body and spirit of what no longer serves.
A Ritual of Respect and Sustainability
The Matses have been working with Kambo for countless generations, possibly thousands of years. Their methods of harvesting the frog’s secretion reflect a deep respect for the Phyllomedusa bicolor and its role in their ecosystem. At night, when the frogs are most active, the Matses mimic the frogs’ calls to locate them. Once found, the frogs are carefully captured by hand.
During the extraction process, the frogs are tied gently by their legs to ensure safety and minimal stress. The secretion is collected from the glands on their backs, often accompanied by songs or chants that honor the frog’s spirit. Afterward, the frogs are released back into the wild, unharmed and free to continue their natural life cycle.
Preparing and Administering the Medicine
The Matses prepare Kambo by spreading the collected secretion onto a wooden stick, where it is allowed to dry and solidify. When it is time to administer the medicine, the dried secretion is reactivated with water or saliva.
Small burns are made on the recipient’s skin, typically on the shoulder or leg, and the reactivated secretion is applied to these points. The medicine enters the lymphatic system, triggering a rapid and often intense process of detoxification and renewal.
A Legacy of Harmony and Healing
The Matses’ use of Kambo is a testament to their profound understanding of the rainforest and its resources. By combining physical preparation, spiritual rituals, and sustainable practices, they maintain a harmonious relationship with the Phyllomedusa bicolor and the forest that sustains them.
As Kambo gains recognition around the world, it is vital to honor the Matses' role as its original stewards of this sacred medicine. Their practices, rooted in respect and reciprocity, offer a model for how we might engage with nature’s gifts in a way that ensures their preservation for future generations.
The story of Kampu and the Matses' work with Kambo reminds us of the resilience of Indigenous knowledge and the importance of maintaining balance between humanity and the natural world. By learning from their wisdom, we can approach this sacred medicine with the humility and gratitude it deserves.
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