At Transcendence Journey, I am often asked thoughtful questions about the sacred plant medicines I work with. This FAQ is designed to offer clear, respectful insights into Kambo, Mapacho, and Tepezcohuite—three powerful allies in the realm of spiritual healing.
What is Kambo?
Kambo is a secretion from the Amazonian giant monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor). It has been traditionally worked with by Indigenous tribes to support purification of the body, sharpening of mental focus, and connection to deeper layers of the self.
Common Benefits:
Detoxification of the digestive and lymphatic systems
Emotional and energetic clearing
Support for clarity, focus, and grounded awareness
Note: Kambo is a potent and sacred medicine. I work with it ceremonially and responsibly, and I recommend that it always be approached with preparation, reverence, and informed consent.
Is Kambo safe?
Kambo can be safe when approached properly and under the guidance of a trained, certified practitioner. It is not appropriate for everyone—especially those with heart conditions, blood pressure issues, or certain mental health diagnoses.
I always encourage participants to consult a medical professional prior to engaging with this medicine.
What is Mapacho?
Mapacho is a form of jungle tobacco (Nicotiana rustica) revered for its spiritual significance in many Indigenous traditions. Unlike commercial tobacco, Mapacho is untreated and worked with in ceremonies for its protective and grounding properties.
Traditional Roles:
Spiritual cleansing
Energetic boundary setting
Anchoring intention in ceremony
Mapacho is considered a teacher plant and holds a sacred place in many spiritual practices.
How is Mapacho worked with in ceremony?
In ceremonial settings, Mapacho may be blown over a person or into the space to support energy clearing and focus. It is not inhaled in the recreational sense. Instead, it is worked with to open spiritual space, support intention, and clear dense or stagnant energy.
Mapacho is also traditionally worked with as a tea in some contexts. In this form, it may support the cleansing of internal parasites, offer deep grounding, and assist in strengthening the physical and energetic body. This practice is approached with great care and under appropriate ceremonial guidance.
What is Tepezcohuite?
Tepezcohuite is a tree native to Mesoamerica with a long-standing relationship to ceremonial and spiritual practices. While it is known in other contexts for its regenerative properties, I personally work with Tepezcohuite primarily in a spiritual healing capacity.
Spiritual Role:
Support for energetic restoration
Reconnection to ancestral and Earth wisdom
Grounding and clearing in integrative ceremonies
I hold a respectful and intentional relationship with Tepezcohuite, honoring it as a plant spirit that supports subtle layers of healing beyond the physical.
While I provide information about Tepe, I do not offer Tepezcohuite ceremonies.
Can Kambo, Mapacho, and Tepezcohuite be worked with together?
In some ceremonial contexts, these plant allies can be woven together to support a multi-layered healing experience. Each brings its own intelligence and unique function:
Kambo supports physical detox and energetic clearing
Mapacho offers protection, grounding, and spiritual clarity
Tepezcohuite supports spiritual integration and deep reconnection
Any such combination should be approached with care, intention, and deep listening. I always guide these experiences with the utmost respect for each medicine’s role and origin.
Final Thoughts
Kambo, Mapacho, and Tepezcohuite are more than tools—they are living intelligences that invite us into deeper relationships with ourselves, our healing, and the natural world. I work with them in sacred ways, informed by tradition, training, and experience.
If you feel called to explore these paths further, I invite you to learn more through my offerings and writings at Transcendence Journey.
