Kambo is a healing ritual primarily conducted in South America. It’s named after the poisonous secretions of the giant monkey frog, Phyllomedusa bicolor.

The name was chosen in recognition of the role frogs play as environmental indicators. Frogs are often the first casualties when pollution or other environmental changes affect a particular habitat. In essence, they provide an early warning for endangered ecosystems.

The same concept can be applied to people. Traditionally underserved communities are often the first to experience the negative impacts associated with affordability and housing crises, among other societal and economic pressures.