Prolonged toxicity from Kambo cleansing ritual

Abstract

Context: Kambo cleanse is a purification, cleansing ritual traditionally performed by South American shaman to confer luck and health to hunters.

Case details: We report a patient who presented to the emergency department with prolonged symptoms of vomiting, flushing, facial swelling, altered mental status, and agitation requiring chemical restraints, 22 h after a Kambo cleanse. The patient was found with four small, circular, superficial burns to the ankle at the site where the resin was introduced.

Discussion: The cleanse consists of rubbing resin obtained from the secretions of the giant leaf frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) into superficial wounds to produce intense gastrointestinal symptoms followed by a sensation of increased stamina and strength. The cleanse is now being increasingly performed in Europe and USA.

Keywords:

• Kambo
• phyllomedusa bicolor
• kambo cleanse

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.