A Mexican actress died in a bizarre accident after she consumed deadly Amazonian frog venom at a spiritual retreat in Mexico. 33-year-old Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez took part in a spiritual cleansing ritual in Mayocoyani, Durango on December 1 that caused her death.
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Native Kambo Ritual Kills Actress
While trying to receive a Healer Training Diploma through this retreat's program, Rodríguez partook in a ritual gone wrong using "Kambo."
The Indigenous natives of South America call it Kambo, a medicinal cleanse involving the gelatinous mucus of giant monkey frogs. Most countries have banned the use of Kambo. Rodríguez was able to partake in the ritual.
It didn't take long for the actress to start showing symptoms of severe vomiting and diarrhea. According to these traditions, the painful symptoms help heal the body. Kambo, when used in regulation, is said to aid in luck, fertility, and strength. Some also believe it can heal and cure physical health conditions.
Although she initially refused to seek help, it took a visiting friend to convince her to go to the hospital. After being rushed to a Red Cross hospital, Rodríguez passed away from the poison. This is according to local outlets.
There are a few different steps to this ritual. It involves drinking over a liter of water, burning parts of the skin, and covering them with Amazonian frog secretions. Afterward, you experience these drastic symptoms involving dizziness, a swollen face, and fainting, alongside the vomiting and diarrhea.
Although the symptoms typically last for less than an hour, the actress' extended exposure to the toxic frog venom caused her death.
A Missing Shaman And A Tribute
Confirming her death, Mapache Films, a Mexican production company, made a tribute post for Rodríguez on Instagram. In Spanish, the company wrote: "With deep regret, we mourn the death of our beloved colleague and friend, Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez.
"Her passing left an immense vacuum in our hearts and in our professional community," it continued.
Investigations of Rodríguez's death are ongoing, as one of the retreat's shamans fled the premises. The shaman also apparently told the actress she wasn't allowed to leave, according to Metro.
