A British wellness coach has died after reportedly taking part in a 'cleansing ceremony' using Kambo, a substance derived from the poisonous skin of an Amazonian tree frog. Kristian Trend, 40, is believed to be the first British victim of the drug, which is banned in several countries but legal in the UK.
Mr Trend, who had survived Burkitt lymphoma cancer, collapsed after the ritual at a flat in Leicester last month. His mother Angie told The Telegraph she wants the treatment banned. 'He was going to cleanse himself, that's what he said to me. He was very spiritual,' she said. 'He recovered from Burkitt lymphoma cancer, which he nearly died from. That's the worst part. He was in hospital for four months and got through that and for this to happen is just awful.'
Kambo is harvested from the defensive skin secretions of the Amazonian giant monkey tree frog. The ceremony involves burning or scraping the participant's skin and rubbing the substance into the wound. Australia banned Kambo after rare deaths during such rituals.
Mr Trend, who worked as a wellness coach, had launched a plant-based coffee alternative and shared health tips on Instagram as 'Kristian The Feel Good Guy'. His mother described him as a 'lovely, bubbly, spiritual man' and noted that over 200 people attended his funeral.
The family has launched a fundraising campaign for the Loros hospice charity in Leicestershire, writing: 'Fly high big bro. We love you always, Mum, Kayla and Bligh.'
