Ethical Harvesting of Kambô
Hamsa Healing is a part of the Kambô International ‘Kambo Stick Co-Op.’
“The frogs are found in 20-30m tall trees near the rainforest waterways (Igarapés), where they gather to sing and announce the rain. They are traditionally harvested shortly after dawn by the Indians who also sing and imitate the frogs’ song. The frogs are very passive and do not react negatively when carefully picked up, possibly because they have few to no predators. The frogs are carefully tied by each leg with straw strings into an X shape. Sometimes a female shaman will massage the toes to encourage the secretion which is then carefully scraped off and dried on small sticks. If the frog is being properly harvested, it is only the first secretions that are taken. One, because this is the strongest and two, because this method leaves the frog with sufficient secretion to defend itself from predators. After it is released the frog returns to its habitat. The strings leave a tiny white line on each leg which stops anyone from harvesting again until it has faded which takes 2-3 months.
The frog is never supposed to be harmed but treated with utmost respect as the people believe that to harm the frog will anger the animal spirits of the jungle. Kambô collected in this way is considered ethically harvested.
Not all Kambô is collected this way so it is up to each individual to ensure that the Kambô they use has been properly harvested to the best of their knowledge. If the frog has to be hurt or angered in any other way, it’s a sure sign that it is being over milked and roughly treated.” -Kambô International
Photo: @photographic.gt, featuring Tuwe, Chief of the Huni Kuin, preparing Kambô