Kambô Ceremony

A Kambô session begins in a circle with the other participants. The facilitator offers an introduction and explains what to expect, creating space for questions and for each person to share their intentions. When the moment is right, participants are invited to drink water or cassava brew in preparation for the treatment.

Treatment start with the top thin layer of skin is blistered with a hot stick and the skin is peeled off to expose the epidermis underneath—this is not as deep as when you have a blister and the skin rubs off. There is no blood. Those burns are called gates. The number and position of the gates varies from person to person depending on individual needs. If you have a series of treatments in the same session, the same points are reused.

The dried Kambô is mixed with a small amount of water and divided into small points. Then those points are placed into the surface of the skin on the gates. This is the only way to take Kambô — it is not safe to ingest it or introduce it into the bloodstream directly. The Kambô enters directly into the lymphatic system so the effect is very fast. For people who are having Kambô for the first time, one one point is given first, called test point, which serves as an introduction to the work, after a short time after, when person had enough time to get a feel for the experience the rest of the points is applied.  

Most people experience a warm to hot flush on the upper body and face along with an increased heart rate. At this point, different people will react in different ways. Some will feel dizzy, foggy, or spaced out. Some people have swollen lips or face and slight skin tingling. The Kambô will be racing around your body, scanning it for problems and then going directly to work on those areas. You may experience a throbbing or burning sensation in those areas for a short while.

Kambô is not psychoactive so does not produce hallucinations, but it can produce a short altered state of reality in some people and many people receive insights and messages about living a healthier life. Then you will purge. This purging process works on a physical and emotional level.

During a Kambô session, it is common towards the end to receive Rapéh (Hapé) medicine. This sacred snuff is traditionally used to support the purge, restore energy, and help release blockages that may arise. Rapéh is a finely ground herbal powder that is gently blown into the nostrils, allowing the medicinal properties of the plants to take effect. Its impact can vary from person to person: for some, it brings grounding and clarity; for others, it reconnects them to their bodies or provides a strong push to continue purging and releasing what no longer serves.

Within a short time—usually an hour or so—you will feel much better and you can drink and eat normally.

After 24 hours and a good night’s sleep you will start to feel the real benefits.

The burn marks will heal and fade with time, but depending on your skin color and type you may always have small visible scars. Most people see their Kambô scars as a badge of honor. The same points can be reused after approximately three months. After the dots of Kambô are removed, the points are dressed with Peruvian tree sap. This helps them to heal faster and ensures they stay free from infection until they scab naturally within a day or so.

Kambô should always be taken with a properly trained person administering and supervising the treatments at all times.