Actress, 33, dies after consuming frog venom during ‘healing ritual’ at retreat as search launched for shaman
AN ACTRESS has died after consuming frog venom on a spiritual retreat.
Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez consumed Kambo, a waxy substance derived from the skin of the Amazonian tree frog Phyllomedusa bicolor, as part of a cleansing ritual.
The 33-year-old began vomiting and experiencing severe diarrhea after ingesting the substance, which is applied to the skin to trigger a detoxification process.
The goal is to purge the body of toxins, psychological trauma, and bad juju.
Marcela was rushed to a Red Cross hospital for treatment, but medics were unable to save her, as reported by NeedToKnow.
The incident occurred on 1 December in the early morning hours, while she was on a spiritual retreat in Durango, Mexico.
An investigation has been launched by the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Durango.
Officers are looking for the supposed shaman, Jonathan Fernando, who ran the retreat.
Mexican production company, Mapache Films, which collaborated with Marcela, sent its condolences to her family.
In an Instagram post, they wrote, “With deep regret, today we bid farewell to our colleague and friend Marcela Alcázar.
“Wishing also quick resignation for her closest family and friends.”
The Durango Film Guild put out a statement on X that it “regrets the passing of Marcela Alcázar ‘Marsh,’ a young woman who worked in various short films, series, and movies filmed in Durango.
“She leaves a void in the hearts of the people who knew her working in what she loved, cinema.”
The president of the College of Psychologists of Mexico, Luis Manuel Naranjo, has stated that diarrhea and vomiting are considered part of the “healing” process in a ritual.
WHAT IS KAMBO?
KAMBO is a poison used in traditional medicine by some South American tribes.
- It is a waxy substance collected by scraping the skin of an Amazonian tree frog, Phyllomedusa bicolor.
- Kambo contains many different compounds, some of which have been identified as potentially toxic (poisonous) in very small amounts.
- At a kambo ceremony (or kambo circle), the top layer of skin on the arm or leg is blistered in several places with a hot stick, and small amounts of kambo are applied to the open wounds.
- The symptoms of Kambo include severe vomiting, dizziness, fainting, and swollen lips or face.
- In some extreme cases, people can suffer seizures or death.
- Kambo is banned in many countries.
As part of a coming-of-age ritual, members of the Matis Indians tribe in Brazil inject themselves with the Kambo poison and have painful bitter juice dropped into their eyes, occasionally causing temporary blindness.
Tribe members stretch the frog over a fire and scrape the secretions from its back before releasing it again.
The participant’s skin is burned and the blister popped before the toxin – mixed with spit – is applied.
At the same time, they are beaten with plant stems and rubbed with poisonous leaves.
The substance has a brief calming effect, but as the poison seeps into the person’s bloodstream, the pain begins again.
Due to it being a substance that contains venom, Kambo can cause serious adverse effects which can include death.
The intention is to lead to a full purging of the stomach.
Many Americans have traveled into the Amazon in recent years as part of a wellness trend.