Brits have been warned against using dodgy ‘detox’ treatment made of poisonous frogs after a wellbeing coach perished from using the deadly treatment
Experts have warned people to steer clear of self-appointed “shamans” peddling a potentially deadly therapy. A “detox” treatment involving a drug known as Kambo is made from the poisonous skin of an Amazonian tree frog.
It comes after Kristian Trend, a 40-year-old wellbeing coach, became the first British person to die using the substance. Kambo is traditionally used in “purging” and fertility ceremonies in South America, but is banned from sale in Brazil and Chile, as well as Australia.
It can be bought in the UK but is unregulated and its practitioners are not registered, and it has not been licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The British Pharmacological Society said: “Safe prescribing depends on this evidence, proper clinical oversight, and an understanding of possible risks, side effects and interactions with other medicines.
“This is especially important where a product or treatment has not been assessed or approved by the MHRA.”
Meanwhile, the British Complementary Medicine Association (BCMA), whose members do not offer Kambo, urged people to only use registered and qualified practitioners.
It said: “You would not go to a doctor without checking they were registered, properly qualified and insured; the same follows for a complementary therapist.” It was revealed last week that Mr Trend, a cancer survivor, collapsed after taking part in a “cleansing” ceremony at a flat in Leicester in April.
A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of administering poison and released on bail. Leicestershire Police are investigating while toxicology tests are ongoing.
Mr Trend’s mother Angie said: “I do hope this is banned and nobody has to go through this devastating pain. We are obviously heartbroken and realise going forward this is not going away anytime soon.”
Kambo enthusiasts claim it helps with several illnesses or injuries, although there is no scientific evidence that it is an effective treatment. Side effects can include tachycardia, hypotension, nausea, as well as vomiting and sometimes bowel movements.
It can also cause psychosis, kidney damage – including acute renal failure – damage to the pancreas and liver, and seizures, in some cases leading to death. There are several online outlets which sell it directly or offer to arrange ceremonies where the drug is used for purging the body.
British company Planet Kambo, which runs group detox ceremonies where the drug is used, said it “was deeply saddened” by Mr Trend’s death.
It could not comment specifically but said it reinforces “the seriousness of using Kambo and the importance of proper screening and supervision”.
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