Early Roots in Healing
I grew up in a Jewish Iranian household where culture, tradition, and food were at the heart of daily life. My grandfather owned a small herb shop in Iran and was known in his town as the medicine man, while my mother filled our home with natural remedies and emphasized the importance of nutrition. These early influences instilled in me a deep respect for the wisdom of plants, food, and the healing practices passed down through generations. Alongside this, I developed a profound connection to nature itself – one that continues to ground me both personally and professionally.
Education and Discovery
My love of the natural world led me to the University of California, Santa Barbara, where I pursued a degree in Biological Anthropology and a Minor in Applied Psychology. Living by the ocean, I explored the relationship between humans and their environment, eventually writing my undergraduate thesis on the diets and lifestyles of the Hadza hunter-gatherers of Tanzania and how their patterns of living compare to the Western lifestyle today. Even then, I was fascinated by the way nutrition, lifestyle, and community shape health.
From a young age, I knew I wanted to become a doctor. But after working in a conventional medical office, I found myself discouraged by a system where visits lasted only minutes and prescriptions were often used to mask underlying issues. I knew I could not ignore my calling to medicine, but I longed for a model that honored the root causes of illness and treated patients as whole people. This search ultimately led me to naturopathic medicine.
Training in Naturopathic Medicine
I completed my medical education at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, the oldest accredited naturopathic medical school in North America. My training included clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, physical medicine, and pharmacology. I also completed advanced training and certification in pelvic floor therapy, deepening my understanding of the body’s interconnected systems.
During my time at NUNM, I volunteered at the Volunteers of America Women’s Residential Center, where I supported women in recovery and witnessed the profound impact that compassion, environment, and community have on healing.
Whole-Person Medicine & Clinical Focus
Today, my practice is rooted in a comprehensive, whole-body approach. I work with patients experiencing a wide range of concerns, including:
- Gut health issues such as SIBO, dysbiosis, candida/yeast, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, IBS, and food sensitivities
- Digestive detoxification and liver support
- Mold illness and mycotoxin exposure
- Histamine intolerance & Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
- Immune dysregulation and autoimmune conditions
- Sleep disturbances and circadian imbalance
- Hormone health across all genders, including fertility, pre-conception work, PMS, perimenopause, menopause, PCOS, thyroid issues, and adrenal dysfunction
- Metabolic concerns, including insulin resistance, blood sugar dysregulation, and weight management
- Nervous system regulation, stress response, anxiety, and burnout
- Genetic and functional testing, including DUTCH, GI-MAP, OAT, micronutrients, mycotoxins, hormones, and more
- Regenerative Therapy: Offering regenerative tools that enhance recovery, optimize cellular function, and promote long-term wellness.
Bio, Philosophy & Practice
