Mexican actress dies after controversial Kambo ritual

Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez, a 33-year-old actress, passed away after using the venom of an Amazonian frog, referred to as "Kambo," during a spiritual ritual in Mexico on 30th November. Kambo is traditionally used by indigenous communities of South America for purification purposes. The ritual includes drinking copious amounts of water, creating small burns on the skin, and applying the frog's mucus to these wounds. This process induces vomiting and diarrhoea as an immediate reaction to the toxin, also raising heart rate and blood pressure.

Rodríguez initially declined medical help after she started vomiting and experiencing severe diarrhoea. She only consented after being persuaded by a friend. She was taken to a Red Cross hospital, where she later died.

The Mexican production company Mapache Films, where Rodríguez was employed, confirmed her death, praising her as a dedicated and joyful professional. Her colleagues and loved ones expressed profound grief over her passing, which has left a "void" in both her personal and professional spheres.

The Kambo ritual is connected with intense physical reactions. According to indigenous beliefs, it enhances fertility, purifies the body and soul, boosts strength, and brings good fortune in hunting. However, these claims lack scientific validation. Kambo is also traditionally used to remove "panema" (considered evil spirits) and to induce miscarriages.

In Rodríguez's case, the shaman conducting the ceremony reportedly stated she could not leave the centre in Mayocoyani, Mexico. The shaman is now in hiding and being sought by the police. The state attorney general's office is conducting an investigation. Mexican authorities have repeatedly warned against contact with amphibians of the chwytnica zwinna species, as their toxins can be lethal.