The medicine is applied to the skin after small superficial burns are made with a red-hot ember vine stick (similar to incense). Only the top layer of the skin is gently burned. Traditionally, the points are placed on the lower right leg for women, and men usually have their points placed on their upper left arm. There are no right or wrong places for the point placements, so it is a good idea to think about where you would like them ahead of time.
Please keep in mind that the area chosen must not be disturbed during treatment, as the medicine must remain where it is placed to be effective. Also, it is forbidden to place gates on certain parts of the body like genitals.
The resin from The Giant Green Monkey Tree Frog is formed into small bead-sized pellets and applied to the burns. The quantity of points used depends on the number of times that the person has already received treatment, the reason for the application, physical condition and overall assessment by the practitioner based on her / his knowledge.
A typical Kambo group ceremony lasts 3.5-4 hours (private sessions last about 2.5 hours). The time spent in the peak of the cleansing and purgative process can be as short as 10 minutes and as long as a couple of hours. Kambo is a very physical experience which involves a feeling of heat in the body usually followed by vomiting and sometimes evacuating from the intestines as the body purges toxins from various organs. Once the Kambo is applied to the skin, it enters the body via the lymphatic system. A feeling of warmth immediately follows. The face, skin and core of the body will feel a heat within. The heart will beat slightly faster. Blood pressure will fall slightly. Relax into the experience. It is helpful to work with the breath: inhale and receive the medicine with love and trust, exhale and surrender. It is a common experience that the throat will gently swell, this is normal but will not swell shut. The face may also swell. Simply relax into the sensations and allow the ally of the Kambo Spirit to purify and fortify you. After a few minutes or more, you may feel like you have to purge. You will have a bucket handy for purging and you may also need to go to the bathroom. The Kambo Practitioner will assist you in all situations. After your purge, the Kambo dots will be removed from your body and the major part of your cleanse is over. The gates are immediately covered with Dragon Blood, a natural antiseptic liquid.
The mind is often made quite clear and focused and some say they receive specific messages. Kambo works mostly to purge the body of toxins, heaviness, and dullness of body and spirit. The benefits that many report usually come in the days and weeks that follow. Many people report feeling very peaceful immediately after the treatment and often the next day one feels amazing.
This is shared either right before the Kambo is administered or right after receiving the Kambo. Not all tribes use this plant medicine in combination with Kambo.
Rapé application: Rapé is the general name given to medicines that are ground into fine powder and then blown into both nostrils. Most rapés are made with tobacco and other natural plant-based ingredients. All tribes that work with Kambo use at least one type of rapé. There are other very powerful and visionary medicines that can be considered rapé, such as Yopo or Virola, which contain tryptamines.
We often offer and recommend rapé during Kambo ceremonies on different occasions in order to trigger or deepen the purge and to discharge all the toxins that the organs release when it is not happening by itself. We also offer it when we think there is more to purge.
I have been working exclusively with rapé from tribes that is prepared with lots of prayers, respect and lots of focused attention and intention to be a helpful medicine. This medicine is composed of sacred tobacco and the ashes of a tree known as tsunú, which is considered to be one of the most used trees as a remedy for many ailments.
You can buy many different types from my store.
Rapé can help in many ways and the spirit of this grandfather assists us by helping us to move the energy that is blocked or when we feel stuck during the ceremony with Kambo.
When the points begin to heal, try not to remove the scabs or scratch, as this might lead to longer-term or permanent scarring. If they itch, you can apply some aloe vera, which will also help the scabs dry out sooner. I prefer to only use Dragon’s Blood which I apply to my points every couple of days until they are fully healed. You can buy it at many health foods stores and online here: Dragon Blood (Sangre de Grado).
Try to keep the area dry, except for bathing / showering. Keep abrasive clothing fabrics away from the area for about one week. The small burns will usually heal and fade with time, though it is important to understand that some types of skin will continue to show small dots months later. Many people see their Kambo scars as a badge of honour for going through this warrior medicine.
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