Jetta Blaine: The Marvelous Peptides of Kambo

Life is a Festival #150

Kambo, an Amazonian medicine derived from the secretions of the Phyllomedusa bicolor—also known as the giant monkey tree frog—has been instrumental in maintaining my mental health for the past six years. Today's guest, facilitator Jetta Blaine, helps us understand why, and it boils down to peptides.

Our episode begins with essential considerations about vetting practitioners and contraindications for sitting with kambo. We then delve into the basics of the medicine and the origin of kambo as an indigenous practice in the Amazon. Following that, Jetta administers two points of dry kambo to me, allowing me to share the experience in real time. We then immerse ourselves in a detailed exploration of the many peptides involved in this Amazonian cocktail. We conclude our conversation with a discussion on ethical considerations, ranging from concerns about animal cruelty to sustainability practices.

Jetta Blaine embodies the wounded healer archetype, having personally battled depression, PTSD, and disordered eating. Before discovering kambo, she lived in ashrams and studied yoga, meditation, and bodywork. Jetta is twice certified with Kambo International, a governing body for Western kambo practitioners, and has been serving for the past two years. She sources her medicine from the Matses tribe through Kambo International.