Warning Over 'Shamans' Peddling Poisonous Amazonian Frog 'Detox Treatment' After Man Dies
Health organisations have issued a warning after a man died following a detox treatment derived from the poisonous skin of frogs. The drug, known as Kambo, is being offered by self-appointed unregulated 'shamans', according to reports.
Wellbeing coach Kristian Trend, 41, became a victim of the treatment when he collapsed during a 'ceremony' at his flat in Leicester last year. Experts are advising patients to think twice before turning to unregulated practitioners. Kambo has been banned in several countries including Australia, Brazil and Chile.
The substance is sourced from the skin of an Amazonian tree frog. While proponents have claimed it can be used to treat certain illnesses, these claims have not been clinically proven. The drug also has numerous potential side effects, ranging from hypotension, vomiting and changes to bowel movements, to more serious complications including kidney failure and psychosis.
Kambo can be legally purchased in the UK, although it is not recommended by licensed medical professionals. A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of administering poison following Mr Trend's death and was released on bail. A police investigation into the suspected poisoning remains ongoing.
Mr Trend's mother, Angie, has since called on authorities to clamp down on the deadly practice. She told the Telegraph she did not want anyone else to suffer the 'devastating pain' she had been through. The British Complementary Medicine Association urged people to check therapists' qualifications before entrusting them with a treatment.
'You would not go to a doctor without checking they were registered, properly qualified and insured; the same follows for a complementary therapist,' it said. The British Pharmacological Society advised patients to take extra care with medicines not approved by the MHRA, the UK medicines regulator. It added that while several medicines were derived from natural sources, safe prescription is contingent on an 'understanding of possible risks, side effects and interactions with other medicine'.
A company offering weekly Kambo group detox ceremonies in the UK said safety was top priority. Planet Kambo said it was 'deeply saddened' to hear about Mr Trend's case and said the therapy needed to be administered with 'proper screening and supervision'.
