A 40-year-old British man has died after taking part in a so-called detoxification ritual involving Kambo, a toxic secretion derived from the skin of Amazonian tree frogs.

The man, Kristian Trend, collapsed during a cleansing ceremony held at a flat in Clarendon Park, Leicester, on 11 April, after reportedly using the substance, which is sometimes promoted in alternative wellness circles for purification and fertility purposes.

Emergency services were called after he was reported to be unwell, and he was later taken to hospital, where he died after a prolonged period of treatment.Kambo is traditionally used in some indigenous Amazonian rituals but is not a licensed medicine in the United Kingdom.

Medical experts warn that it can cause severe adverse reactions, including rapid heart rate (tachycardia), dangerously low blood pressure (hypotension), vomiting, and in extreme cases, sudden death.Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr Trend’s death.

A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of administering poison in connection with the incident and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.Mr Trend had recently been battling Burkitt lymphoma and had spent several months in hospital prior to the incident.His family have described him as a spiritual person who believed in holistic healing.His mother has since called for tighter regulation or a ban on the use of Kambo in the UK, saying she believes it contributed to her son’s death.A coroner has been notified, and toxicology tests are ongoing to establish the exact cause of death.A tribute page has been set up by relatives and friends, who have described him as a kind and much-loved individual whose life ended tragically.