Kambo is a unique secretion offering a complex biochemical profile that remains unparalleled in the realm of natural medicines.
"Amphibian skin has long been favored in folklore for its medicinal properties," said Louise A. Rollins-Smith, Ph.D., associate professor of Microbiology & Immunology and principal investigator at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "Frogs are a rich source of potentially useful molecules that might work against human pathogens."
The Kambo Chemical Cocktail
Italian pharmacologist Vittorio Erspamer, a Nobel Prize nominee and the first scientist to analyze Kambô in a lab, described the secretion as a “fantastic chemical cocktail with potential medical applications, unequaled by any other amphibian.” Erspamer is also known for his discovery of serotonin and was among the first to recognize the pharmacological potential of Kambô’s unique peptide composition.
Nature’s Bioactive Pharmacy
Kambô contains a potent blend of bioactive peptides—short chains of amino acids that act on the body in specific ways. These naturally occurring compounds have been shown to interact with the nervous, immune, endocrine, and digestive systems, supporting processes such as pain modulation, immune response, antimicrobial activity, mood stabilization, and hormonal balance.
The bioactive 'peptides' in Kambô bind with receptor sites in the brain. These peptides perform tasks while others provide support to vital cellular processes, acting as a key to our many biological systems.
Each peptide in the secretion serves a unique function, and together they produce a synergistic effect that makes Kambô a powerful, multifaceted medicine. Below is an overview of their primary areas of action:
Pain Relief: Peptides like dermorphin and deltorphin act on opioid receptors, offering strong analgesic effects—potentially helpful for chronic pain.
Inflammation Reduction: Some peptides exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, supporting conditions like arthritis and immune imbalance.
Digestive Support: Kambô stimulates gastric and pancreatic secretions and influences smooth muscle tone, aiding overall digestive function.
Hormonal, Depression & Stress Regulation: Certain peptides affect the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland, supporting stress resilience and hormonal balance.
Antimicrobial Support
Erspamer and his colleagues grouped these peptides into three major categories:
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) – combat bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Smooth muscle-active peptides – impact the gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels, and other involuntary muscles.
Neuroactive peptides – interact with the brain and nervous system, influencing mood, pain perception, and stress response.
Antimicrobial Potential for a Toxic World
The timing of Kambo's emergence as a holistic remedy is significant, particularly given its potential to support the body in clearing viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. Numerous research papers have documented the antimicrobial properties of peptides derived from Phyllomedusa frogs, highlighting their ability to combat infections effectively. These studies provide a solid scientific foundation for understanding the antimicrobial properties of peptides derived from Phyllomedusa frogs and their potential therapeutic applications.
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Several peer-reviewed studies and reviews that document the antimicrobial properties of peptides derived from Phyllomedusa frogs, particularly Phyllomedusa bicolor:
Dermaseptins: Multifunctional Antimicrobial Peptides
This comprehensive review discusses dermaseptins, a family of antimicrobial peptides produced in the skin of Phyllomedusidae frogs. These peptides exhibit antimicrobial, antitumor, and angiostatic activities, highlighting their potential in therapeutic applications.Antimicrobial Peptides from Phyllomedusa Frogs: From Biomolecular Diversity to Potential Nanotechnologic Medical Applications
This study explores the diverse array of antimicrobial peptides found in Phyllomedusa species, emphasizing their effectiveness against multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. The research underscores the potential of these peptides in developing new nanotechnological therapies for infectious diseases.Antitumor and Angiostatic Activities of the Antimicrobial Peptide Dermaseptin B2
This research identifies dermaseptin B2, isolated from Phyllomedusa bicolor, as having significant antitumor and angiostatic activities. The study demonstrates its ability to inhibit tumor growth and proliferation, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent in cancer treatment.Review of the Physiological Effects of Phyllomedusa bicolor Skin Secretion Peptides on Humans Receiving Kambô
This review examines various peptides identified in the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa bicolor, noting their antimicrobial and anticancer effects in vitro. It also discusses the traditional use of Kambô and the need for further research into the synergistic effects of these peptides when administered concurrently.The Amazonian Kambô Frog Phyllomedusa bicolor: Current Knowledge on Biology, Phylogeography, Toxinology, Ethnopharmacology, and Medical Aspects
This comprehensive review covers the biology and medical aspects of Phyllomedusa bicolor, including the presence of various bioactive peptides in its skin secretion. It highlights the antimicrobial properties of these peptides and their potential applications in modern medicine.
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Adenoregulins – discovered in the 90s by John Daly’s team at the National Institute of Health in the United States. Adenoregulin works on the human body through the adenosine receptors, a fundamental component throughout all human cellular fuel. These receptors may offer a target for the treatment of depression, stroke and cognitive loss diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and also Parkinson’s.
Antimicrobial peptides: Dermaseptins, including adenoregulins (with 33 amino acids), plasticins and philloseptins form part of a family of a broad spectrum of antimicrobial peptides involved in the defence of frogs’ bare skin against microbial invasion. These are the first vertebrate peptides that show lethal effects against filamentous fungi responsible for severe opportunistic infections which accompany the immunodeficiency syndrome and the use of immunosuppressive agents. They also show lethal effects against a broad spectrum of bacteria both large+ and large-, fungi, yeasts and protozoa. Several years of research carried out at the University of Paris have shown that peptides Dermaseptin B2 and B3 are effective in killing certain types of cancer cells. Research at Queens University in Belfast recently won a prestigious award for his ground-breaking work with cancer and Kambô. Its action mechanism is produced by inhibiting the angiogenesis of tumour cells, with selective cytotoxicity for these cells.
Bradykinins – such as phyllokinins and tryptophilins. They are peptides with structure and properties similar to human bradykinin. They are important sources of scientific study as they are hypotensive and due to producing vasodilation, contraction of the non-vascular smooth muscle, increase vascular permeability, also related to the mechanism of inflammatory pain.
Bombesins – these peptides stimulate the secretion of hydrochloric acid by acting on the G cells of the stomach, regardless of the pH of the medium. They also increase pancreatic secretion, intestinal myoelectric activity and smooth muscle contractibility.
The main families of bioactive peptides identified in the Kambô secretion so far include:
Phyllomedusin – such as tachykinins (which also act as neuropeptides) – produce contraction at the smooth muscle level and increase secretions of the entire gastrointestinal tract such as the salivary glands, stomach, small and large intestine, pancreas and gallbladder. These are the main parts responsible for the deep purge produced by the administration of Kambô.
Phyllokinin and Phyllomedusins – both are potent vasodilators, increasing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier both for their own access as well as for that of other active peptides. Within this family are the medusins, which also have antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
Caeruleins and Sauvagines – They are peptides with chains of 40 amino acids with myotropic properties on the smooth muscles, producing a contraction of the colon and urinary bladder. They produce a drop in blood pressure accompanied by tachycardia. They stimulate the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland, contributing to greater sensory perception and increased resistance. Both peptides possess a great analgesic power, contributing to the increase of physical strength, the capacity to confront physical pain, stress, disease and diminish the symptoms of fatigue. In the medical field this family of peptides contributes to improved digestion and has analgesic properties against pain in renal colic, pain due to peripheral vascular insufficiency and tumour pain.
Dermorphin and deltorphin – These are small peptides composed of 7 amino acids. They are selective agonists of the opiate delta receptors, 4000 times more potent than morphine and 40 times more than the endogenous endorphins.
Ceruleins – Stimulate gastric, bile and pancreatic secretions, and certain smooth muscle. They could be used in the paralytic ileus and as a diagnostic medium in pancreatic dysfunction.
Tryptophilins – are neuropeptides consisting of 4 to 14 amino acids, which are opening up new perspectives on how the human brain works.
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Addictions
Infectious Diseases
HIV/AIDS
STDs
Herpes
Neurological Disorders
Alzheimer’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease
Depression and Anxiety
Autoimmune and Endocrine Disorders
Autoimmune Diseases
Endocrine Disorders
Chronic Conditions
Chronic Pain and Inflammation
Chronic Fatigue
Digestive Issues
Parasites
Candida
IBS
Skin
Hives
Eczema
Psoriasis
Reproductive Health
Infertility
Menopause
Hormone imbalance
Organ Health
Organ Diseases
Infections
Virus, Mold, and Fungal Infections
Other Health Concerns
Cancer
Sports Medicine
Migraines, TMJ
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Peter Gorman, ‘Making magic’ from Omni, July 1993
Marcelo Bolshow Gomes, ‘Kambô The Spirit of the Shaman’
‘Ruolo dei peptidi antimicrobici nell’ immmunita’ innata’, Universita’ di Roma.Articles and essays
Gio L., Research and Treatments
S. A. (1984) Ph.D. dissertation (Columbia University, New York).
V. Erspamer, G. F. & Cei, J. M. (1986) Comp. Biochem. Physiol. C 85, 125-137.‘Sostanze bioattive: dalla pelle di un anfibio al cervello umano’, Academy of Science, University of Rome, Sapienza, 1987