Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez, 33, passed away on December 1 from Kambo—a South American healing ritual that uses the poison of the Amazonian giant monkey frog for healing and cleansing the body.
Rodriguez was attending a spiritual healing retreat at Durango in Mexico where Kambo was performed on her, following which she had severe diarrhea and vomiting. According to The New York Post, the retreat first refused to treat her despite the serious side effects, and she was eventually brought to the nearby Red Cross Hospital, where she died.
Authorities are trying to trace the shaman who performed the Kambo ritual and then denied Rodriguez medical help until it was too late.
What is Kambo?
The Kambo ritual, rooted in Amazonian tradition, is often promoted as a detoxification process with purported health benefits. However, its intense application and potential risks warrant a closer look.
According to Healthline, the ritual begins with the person typically drinking about a liter of water or cassava soup to prepare the body. A practitioner then burns small spots on the skin with a stick, creating blisters. These blisters are then scraped off, and the Kambo secretion, a toxic substance from the giant monkey frog, is applied to the wounds.
The substance enters the lymphatic system and bloodstream, where it’s claimed to scan the body for problems. Immediate reactions often include severe vomiting, along with other unpleasant side effects. Once these subside, participants are given water or tea to flush out toxins and rehydrate.
Studies have noted some biological effects, such as brain cell stimulation and blood vessel dilation, but these findings don’t validate the broader health claims associated with Kambo.
While proponents of the ritual argue its benefits, the risks and lack of robust scientific backing highlight the importance of caution. Anyone considering Kambo should consult a medical professional and weigh its potential dangers against its unverified claims.
Tributes pour in for Marcela Rodriguez
Mexican production company Mapache Films posted a confirmation about the death on their Instagram handle. The caption of the post translates to:
"With deep regret, today we bid farewell to our colleague and friend Marcela Alcázar, wishing also quick resignation for her closest family and friends"
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Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez's untimely death is a reminder of the dangers of rituals like Kambo, which do not have appropriate scientific backing.
It is important to approach alternative practices with caution and skepticism, especially when they involve potential risks to one's health. The tragic loss of Marcela Alcázar serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of thoroughly researching and understanding the potential dangers of such rituals before participating in them.
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