Drug made from poisonous frog's skin ‘claims first British victim’ following 'detox' ceremony
Wellbeing coach, Kristian Trend, died after using 'Kambo,' a treatment banned in several countries
A popular “detox” treatment made from the dried poisonous skin secretions of a giant Amazonian tree frog has claimed its first British victim.
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Kristian Trend, 40, collapsed at a flat in Leicester last month after taking part in a “cleansing” ceremony using the drug known as Kambo.
Banned in several countries, including Australia, Brazil and Chile, it is traditionally used in “purging” and fertility ceremonies in South America.
Kambo, also known as Sapo, has led to deaths in several countries. In the UK, it is not regulated as a treatment by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The frog 'poison' can be bought legally and is sold as a wellbeing aid that offers “a life-changing experience”.
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Mr Trend, a wellbeing coach and cancer survivor, was "going to cleanse himself," his mother told The Telegraph.
"He was very spiritual. He took a lot of vitamins, but I don’t know what happened".
Mrs Trend now wants the alternative medicine to be banned.
“We haven’t had the test results back yet. I don’t know anything, and I don’t even think I want to know what happened. It won’t bring him back," she added.
“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. It was his birthday the week after, and I’d bought all these presents”.
The incident happened in the Clarendon Park area on April 11. Mr Trend was treated at the scene in Queens Road, but he later died in hospital.
Shortly after the incident, Leicestershire Police arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of administering poison, who has since been released on bail.
“An investigation into the circumstances of the incident is continuing," the force said.
The Leicestershire Coroner is expected to open an inquest into the circumstances of Mr Trend's death. The cause of death has yet to be established, and toxicology tests are ongoing.