Mexican actress dies in controversial Kambo frog ritual
Mexican actress Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez died after participating in a ceremony involving Kambo. What is the ritual use of this substance?
Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez, a 33-year-old actress, died after using the venom of an Amazonian frog, known as "Kambo," during a spiritual ritual in Mexico on November 30. Kambo is used by Indigenous people in South America to cleanse the body. The ritual involves drinking large amounts of water, creating burns on the skin, and applying the frog's skin mucus to the wounds. The process causes vomiting and diarrhea as the body reacts to the poison, also increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
The actress died after using Kambo venom
Rodríguez initially refused medical help after she began vomiting and experiencing severe diarrhea. She only agreed to it after being persuaded by a friend. The woman was rushed to a Red Cross hospital, where she died.
The Mexican production company Mapache Films, for which Rodríguez worked, confirmed her death, describing her as a dedicated and cheerful professional. Colleagues and those close to her expressed deep sorrow over her passing, which left a "void" in both her personal and professional life.
Why is the Kambo ritual dangerous?
The ritual involving Kambo is associated with intense physical reactions. According to Indigenous traditions, it supports fertility, cleanses the body and soul, increases strength, and brings good luck in hunting. These claims have not been scientifically confirmed. Kambo is also used by Indigenous people to expel "panema" (an evil spirit) and to induce miscarriages.
In Rodríguez's case, the shaman leading the ceremony allegedly said she was not allowed to leave the centre in Mayocoyani, Mexico. The shaman fled and is being sought by the police. The state attorney general's office is investigating the matter. Mexican authorities have long warned against contact with frogs of the Phyllomedusa bicolor species, as exposure to their toxins can be deadly.
