Lismore, New South Wales – A recent coroner’s report has shed light on the dangerous trend of vulnerable individuals participating in “healing” rituals involving frog poison under the guise of alternative health practices. The practice, known as a kambo ceremony, involves applying toxin from the giant monkey frog to burn wounds in hopes of achieving healing effects, but has tragically been linked to multiple deaths in Australia.
The report stems from a three-day inquest into the death of Natasha Lechner, a 39-year-old woman who passed away in 2019 after taking part in a kambo ritual in Mullumbimby. Described as “an old soul in a young body” by her father, Lechner had battled chronic health issues and turned to alternative medicine as a means of relief. Despite undergoing training to become a kambo practitioner herself, the administration of the frog toxin triggered a fatal cardiac event in her case.
State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan emphasized the lack of regulation surrounding kambo at the time of Lechner’s death, prompting new restrictions on its manufacture, supply, and use in New South Wales. O’Sullivan highlighted the concerning trend of untrained individuals presenting themselves as healing practitioners, putting vulnerable participants at risk in the event of emergencies.
In a separate investigation, the death of Jarrad Antonovich in 2021 following the ingestion of ayahuasca and kambo has also raised significant concerns. The 46-year-old Lismore man’s case has prompted a pause in the inquest due to newfound information brought forward by the public following media attention.
The coroner’s findings underscore the importance of proper regulation and oversight in the realm of alternative healing practices to prevent further tragedies and protect individuals seeking relief from chronic health conditions. As authorities work to address these issues, the need for public awareness and education on the potential risks of such rituals remains crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.