Health experts are issuing urgent warnings about the dangers of so-called wellness rituals following the death of a British man who participated in a 'detox' treatment involving poisonous frog skin. Kristian Trend, 40, died of suspected poisoning after taking kambo, a substance commonly used in South American cleansing ceremonies that is gaining popularity across Europe.
What Is Kambo?
Kambo is a waxy secretion harvested from the skin of the giant tree frog, scientifically known as Phyllomedusa bicolor. The frog is restrained and its limbs stretched to trigger a stress-induced defense response, releasing the substance. Indigenous Amazonian tribes have used it for centuries in rituals aimed at cleansing the body, boosting fertility, or inducing purging to expel toxins.
During ceremonies, a shaman burns small points into the top layer of a participant's skin using a hot stick. Dried kambo is then applied to these wounds for about 15 minutes. Women typically receive burns on their legs, while men are burned on the arms or chest.
Celebrity Endorsements Fuel Popularity
The treatment has entered the mainstream partly due to endorsements from celebrities like actor Orlando Bloom, who has claimed to undergo the ritual multiple times. Bloom told GQ Magazine in 2024: 'Your skin is burnt with these little dots, and then you put up the poison from the Amazon... You have this sensation of death and you kind of purge your body. But it's incredible.' He described the experience as 'brutal' but said it left him feeling 'clearer and wide open.'
Proponents assert that kambo cleanses the body, strengthens the immune system, and can even treat addiction and cancer. However, health experts stress there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
Medical Warnings and Risks
Professor Penny Ward, a pharmaceutical expert at King's College London, told the Daily Mail: 'While there has been medical interest in a number of the peptides produced in the skin secretion, there are no proven health benefits for any of these at present. In contrast, there have been multiple case reports of a range of toxicities and several deaths in users across multiple countries.'
Kambo is poisonous and can trigger severe reactions, including seizures, rapid heart rate, extremely low blood pressure, and in extreme cases, death. Other side effects include severe vomiting, diarrhea, psychosis, and damage to the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. Some participants have suffered dangerous overhydration, as rituals often encourage consuming large amounts of water beforehand.
Bryan Kuhn, a toxicology management specialist and pharmacist at the Banner Poison and Drug Information Centre in Phoenix, stated: 'There's no evidence to support any therapeutic benefits for any medical condition. Period. End of story.'
Kristian Trend's Death
Mr Trend, a wellbeing coach and owner of a plant-based energy drink company, is believed to have been taking part in a 'cleansing' ritual at a flat in Leicester last month. He became unwell, collapsed, and died. His mother, Angie, is calling for kambo to be outlawed, telling The Telegraph: 'I hope they ban it, but I'm not strong enough to fight for it.'
Mr Trend had been diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, at age 23. He later became interested in holistic wellness and meditation, writing on his website: 'At 23, I was given up to six months to live without intensive treatment. A rare cancer diagnosis forced me to choose: live in fear, or surrender to a higher purpose.'
A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of administering poison and has been released on bail. Leicester Police continue their investigation. Toxicology tests are ongoing to determine the exact cause of death, and an inquest is expected to be opened.
Regulatory Status
Kambo is not a licensed medicine in the UK, and those who administer it are not regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Some countries have taken strict measures; Australia classified it as a prohibited poison in 2021 after the death of Natasha Lechner, who suffered a severe cardiac reaction. A coroner warned that vulnerable people were placing trust in so-called 'healers' lacking basic first-aid training.
A government spokesperson said: 'Our thoughts are with Mr Trend's family and loved ones. Any substance that poses a risk to public health or safety will be kept under review. We urge individuals to exercise caution when considering alternative therapies and to be aware of the potential risks involved.'
