Kambo is the waxy secretion of the Giant Monkey Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor), a large tree frog found throughout the upper Amazon basin. For generations, indigenous peoples — particularly the Matses of Peru and Brazil — have used this secretion in traditional hunting rituals and for maintaining physical vitality and sharpness.
The Matses Tradition
The Matses people, who live along the Javari River in the border region of Peru and Brazil, are perhaps the most well-known practitioners of the Kambo tradition. Matses hunters have long applied the frog's secretion before hunts to sharpen their senses, increase endurance, and maintain alertness during extended tracking expeditions through dense jungle terrain.
Our Kambo is sourced from a Matses family we have worked with for many years. The provider is a vegetalista — a traditional herbalist — who continues the practice of plant baths, forest education, and sustainable living. He values the frogs deeply and manages their populations with care, rotating collection sites and never over-harvesting from any single location.
Ethical and Sustainable Harvesting
The welfare of the frogs is central to ethical Kambo sourcing. The Giant Monkey Frog is not harmed during the collection process. The frogs are gently captured (they are docile and do not flee), their legs are carefully stretched and the secretion is gently scraped from the skin, and they are then released back to their habitat.
Responsible providers like our Matses partner take additional steps: they avoid collecting from the same location consecutively, they monitor frog populations, and they educate others about the importance of sustainable practices. This ensures that the frog populations remain healthy and the tradition can continue for future generations.
How Kambo Is Traditionally Used
In traditional settings, Kambo is applied to small superficial burns on the skin. The secretion is rehydrated with water and placed on the burn points, where it enters the lymphatic system. The experience is intense and typically lasts 20–40 minutes. Practitioners describe it as a deep physical purge.
Important: Kambo is a powerful traditional medicine that should only be administered by trained and experienced practitioners. It is not suitable for everyone and has contraindications. The products we sell are for cultural research purposes only.
Supporting Indigenous Communities
A portion of profits from our Kambo sales supports the community development of the Matses family we work with. The eldest daughter in the family recently began a preparatory course for entering university, which will make her one of the first Matses women to pursue higher education. She plans to study natural sciences — bridging traditional knowledge with modern scientific understanding.
Learn more about our Kambo & Sananga collection.