Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez, a 33-year-old Mexican actress known for her roles in various short films and regional productions, died on December 1, 2024, after participating in a Kambo ritual at the Centro Moyocoyani retreat in Durango, Mexico. The ritual involved applying a substance derived from the secretions of the Amazonian giant monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor), commonly known as Kambo.
Kambo is a traditional healing practice used by some indigenous tribes in South America, such as the Matsés and Yawanawá, aiming to purify the body, increase physical strength, and expel negative energy. The ritual typically involves creating small burns on the participant’s skin and applying the frog’s secretion to these open wounds. This process is believed to induce a detoxifying purge, leading to intense vomiting and diarrhea. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting the purported health benefits of Kambo, and its use carries significant health risks.
Medical experts warn that Kambo can cause severe adverse reactions, including tachycardia (increased heart rate), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and facial swelling. In some cases, it has been linked to life-threatening conditions such as toxic hepatitis, acute renal failure, and even death. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration has classified Kambo as a Schedule 10 poison, indicating substances of such danger to health as to warrant prohibition of sale, supply, and use.
During the ceremony, Rodríguez reportedly consumed a large quantity of water, received burns on her skin, and had the Kambo secretion applied to the wounds. She subsequently experienced severe vomiting and diarrhea, symptoms commonly associated with the ritual. Initially, she refused medical assistance, but as her condition worsened, she was transported to a local hospital, where she later died. The shaman conducting the ritual, identified as Jonathan Fernando, allegedly fled the scene when Rodríguez’s condition deteriorated, and authorities are currently searching for him.
The Attorney General’s Office of the State of Durango has launched an investigation into Rodríguez’s death, treating it as a potential negligent homicide. The local film community has expressed profound sorrow over her passing. Mapache Films, a production company she collaborated with, stated, “Her dedication, joy, and commitment left a profound mark on all of us who had the privilege of working beside her.” The Durango Film Guild also paid tribute, noting that she “worked in various short films, series, and movies filmed in Durango.”
The growing popularity of Kambo rituals outside their indigenous context has raised concerns about cultural appropriation and the commercialization of traditional practices. Indigenous leaders have criticized using Kambo without proper preparation or permission, emphasizing the potential risks. The unregulated nature of such ceremonies in urban settings further exacerbates these issues, leading to dangerous outcomes for participants.
