Medicine Frog Kambo

The Giant Leaf Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) occupies a totally unique space at the intersection of ecology, human culture, and global fascination. 🐸🌍

For generations, this beautiful amphibian has been stewarded by Indigenous communities in the Amazon who possess a deep, localized understanding of the forest. But today, global interest in P. bicolor is growing at an unprecedented rate.

This growing spotlight is a double-edged sword. Sudden global fascination can easily outpace ethical frameworks, leading to habitat disturbance and extraction. But trying to completely separate humans from this species simply isn't realistic anymore. The curiosity is already here.

So, how do we protect the Giant Leaf Frog? We have to shift to Relationship-Based Conservation.

In my latest article (link in bio!), I dive into why the future of P. bicolor depends on transforming human attention into long-term ecological investment. We need to bridge the gap between Indigenous wisdom, scientific research, and public education through initiatives like IKAP and KamboCon.

We can't just protect species by hiding them. We have to teach people how to care for them responsibly. 🌿✨

Swipe through to learn more about the ecological paradox of P. bicolor and how we can cultivate a culture of true stewardship. Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 👇

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In the Amazon, Panema is known as the heavy cloud of bad luck, low energy, and lack of vitality that can block a person’s spirit and success. Traditionally, medicines like Kambo are used to clear Panema, restoring strength, clarity, and good fortune.
From a modern perspective, Panema might look like chronic inflammation, hidden infections, or gut imbalances—things that leave us feeling drained, uninspired, and “off.”

Neither view cancels the other out. Instead, they complement one another—two ways of naming the same lived human experience. 🌱🐸

What do you think Panema looks like in the body or mind? Share below 👇

Still glowing from our latest Kambo Practitioner Training in San Diego, California! I am so incredibly eager to celebrate the dedicated students who showed up and dove headfirst into this rite of passage.

This particular training had a few logistical challenges, but I couldn't have asked for a more understanding and gracious cohort. Our group may have been small, but the joy, laughter, and learning were absolutely massive. I am so proud of the growth and healing that each student cultivated over this 12-day journey.

As an instructor, it is pure magic to witness each individual’s transformation from day one to the very end. Our training is rigorous, intense, and deeply personal. Pushing past fear, self-critical narratives, and a steep learning curve is never easy, but the profound reward on the other side is always worth it.

A massive shoutout to our newest MFK grads for crossing the finish line with flying colors! I am so deeply proud of you all. You make this work deeply meaningful to me, and seeing your dedication grounds me in my purpose even when I find myself questioning the sustainability of my offerings. 🌿🐸✨

"How can expanding human awareness be aligned with ecological protection rather than ecological extraction?"

This is the central question we explored in our recent article published inAmphiBios, the official magazine of the Amphibian Survival Alliance.

As Kambo gains global visibility, the Giant Leaf Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) is no longer a species known only within the forest. It's becoming a subject of international curiosity, cultural interpretation, and growing demand. And that attention — whether we like it or not — is now an ecological force of its own.

The question isn't whether people will engage with this species. They already are. The real question ishow.

Will that attention drive extraction — or can it be guided toward education, stewardship, and long-term conservation?

In the article, we explore:
🐸 The ecological risks of global attention on sensitive amphibian species
🌿 Why Indigenous ecological knowledge and conservation science are stronger together
🔬 How initiatives like IKAP and KamboCon are working to bridge research, culture, and conservation
🤝 Why relationship-based conservation may be the path forward

This isn't just a Kambo conversation. It's an amphibian conservation conversation. And it's one we believe the Kambo community has a responsibility to be part of.

📖 Link in bio to read the full article.

This means the world to us 🐸

When a licensed mental health practitioner with 18 years of experience says this work has been "profound and transformative" — that carries weight.
Steven came to Kambo as someone who has spent nearly two decades on the front lines of mental health care — both as a provider and as someone committed to his own growth. After two years of working with Kambo and completing our Self-Administration & Microdosing trainings, he shared these words.

What stands out most to us here: self-agency.
That's always been the goal. Not to create dependence on a practitioner, but to empower people with the knowledge and confidence to support themselves — safely, intentionally, and on their own terms.

Thank you, Steven. Testimonials like yours remind us why we do this work. 🙏

🐸 Interested in learning to work with Kambo on your own?

Our Self-Administration Online Course is designed for exactly that — giving you the tools, education, and confidence to develop a safe personal practice.

🔗 Link in bio for details.

There’s a tendency to say “the tribes do this” when talking about Kambo.
But that framing is overly simplified at best… and at worst, it’s a bit disrespectful.

There isn’t one unified indigenous perspective.
Communities like the Matses, Huni Kuin, Noke Koi, Marubo, Matis and others all have their own relationships with Kambo. Their own beliefs. Their own ways of working.

Some tie the frog in the crucifixion position. Others don’t.

Some use Kambo sparingly. Others work with it frequently.

Some are very specific about point placement. Others are more flexible.
And even within the same lineage, you’ll find differences between families, households, and individuals.

So when people speak in absolutes about “traditional use”… it’s usually missing a lot of nuance.

If you actually want to understand where Kambo comes from and how it’s been used across different cultures, it’s worth looking a little deeper than surface-level generalizations.

We break this down in the History of Kambo mini course—covering different tribal origins and how Kambo made its way into modern practice.

Comment “History” and I’ll send you the details 💚

Does Kambo cure herpes? 🤔

It’s a question we hear often — and the answer is layered.
Some people report months (or even years) without outbreaks after Kambo. Others notice an outbreak right after treatment, followed by long remission. Why? Kambo may cause a short-term dip in immune function, then a longer-term boost — potentially making outbreaks less frequent.

Kambo also contains dermaseptins — peptides shown in lab studies to be active against HSV-2. But it’s unlikely enough of them get into circulation to wipe out the virus hiding in nerve tissues. The long-term benefits are more likely due to immune system modulation rather than direct viral destruction.
Some practitioners apply Kambo near the nerve ganglion affected, and anecdotal reports show reduced — even undetectable — viral loads in follow-up blood tests. Still, herpes can return.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Kambo is not an FDA-approved treatment for herpes or any other medical condition. These are anecdotal experiences, not guarantees. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before pursuing any treatment.

Have you (or someone you know) noticed changes in herpes outbreaks after Kambo? Share your experience below 👇

We Took Kambo to Dave Asprey & Luke Storey -

We Took Kambo to Dave Asprey & Luke Storey I’ve been globe trotting as usual doing Frog’s work. This time, frog called me to Austin, Texas for a unique opportunity, and I’ve got some fun updates to share with you all.