10 ways to prepare for a Kambo Detox

You’ve heard the age-old adage – fail to prepare, prepare to fail, and this timeless wisdom is no different when to comes to smashing the Kambo detox.

Firstly, for those that don’t know, Kambo is a natural poisonous secretion from the Giant Monkey Frog. In traditional indigenous rituals it has been used to bring about profound physical, emotional and spiritual clearing and detoxification. As well as purifying the body, it may help to treat various health conditions.

Kambo has originally been performed in many South American countries, where a shamanic healer conducts the ceremony. As with other plant medicines, respect for the nature of the cleanse manifests as enthusiasm for both the preparation and after-care plan.

1. Check you do not have any contraindications

Easily one of the most crucial steps before taking the cleanse is to check that you are suitable in the first place. Kambo is a powerful medicine and those that should not be taking part in a ceremony for safety reasons include:

• Pregnant or expecting mothers

• Anyone currently breastfeeding

• If you have taken 5-meo-DMT or Bufo in the last 4 weeks

• Have previous medical history of stroke, blood clots, aneurysms, DVT, Addison’s disease, any heart conditions or heart surgery

• If you are taking low blood pressure medication, have had chemotherapy within the last month, are on immunosuppressants for organ transplantation

• Anyone under 18 years of age

Be sure to report any medications or supplements you are taking regularly, even if they are herbal. It is best not to take any health supplements the day of the ceremony, as they will likely just be purged from the system.

You should avoid 5-HTP or melatonin for at least 3 days prior to your session as these could interact with the Kambo medicine. If you are asthmatic you should bring your inhaler with you and should you be menstruating, be aware that it can increase flow for up to 24 hours.

2. Find a reputable practitioner

Only an experienced practitioner should administer Kambo and this is not something that should be attempted on your own at home.

Look for centres that are qualified enough to be offering training, have worked closely with Kambo’s indigenous origins, and practice in an ethical and sustainable way.

Practitioners should be able to hold space in a compassionate, mature and responsible way. There should be an appropriate screening process and proper preparation protocols.

3. Know what to expect

Small burns will be made to the skin with incense to help it blister. This is so that the very top surface layer can be removed without bleeding, allowing Kambo access to the lymphatic system.

Kambo is NEVER to be ingested orally as this could be fatal. Everyone responds slightly differently but most people report hot flushes to the face, dizziness, vomiting, increased heart rate and mild tingling and swelling which are all a normal part of the process. Your body will thank you for the temporary discomfort!

Although Kambo is non-psychoactive, there are countless anecdotes of profound insight and healing from the process.

4. Hydration hydration hydration

Although you should not drink excessive amounts of water prior to your ceremony, it is important to ensure that you do not get dehydrated during the purge. Coconut water is a great source of natural electrolytes, which helps the body hold onto hydration.

Water, herbal tea with honey and salt added to water all come recommended, however you should avoid caffeinated or sugary drinks such as coffee and juice the morning of the ceremony.

About 15 minutes before the ceremony begins, you are asked to drink around 1.5L of water to assist with the purging process and help move toxins out of the body. However, drinking copious amounts of water in the days leading up to the ceremony can dilute the body’s electrolyte concentrations and cause an imbalance which could lead to hypernatremia. So