Meet Doctor Natalia Pellegrino
Hello and welcome! My name is Dr. Natalia Pellegrino, and I am the founder of Soul Seed Wellness. I’m glad you’re here, and I look forward to supporting you on your health journey.
I’m passionate about natural medicine, and its life-changing effects. You have a unique set of life experiences, lifestyle factors, and genetics that have led you to your current state of health, and I meet you where you are in your health journey. I create a supportive and nourishing space in which you feel truly heard, and help guide you on a clear path to radiant health. I diligently find solutions for many different health conditions and research the best options for your care. I would be honored to be a part of your wellness journey!
A Little About Me:
I’m a Naturopathic Doctor, registered through the Minnesota Medical Board.
What does that mean?
It means that I have been through rigorous, 4-year medical school that gives me the ability to properly diagnose and treat a wide variety of medical conditions. The difference between me and your standard medical provider, is that I focus on prevention, and use the best evidence-based natural treatment options to help you heal from a root-cause approach. I want to know WHY you’re having symptoms, and together we will dig deep to figure that out. One of my greatest skills is my analytical nature, and my willingness to put in the time and research to find answers. I’m also trained to know when it’s appropriate to refer you to another provider if needed, for collaborative care and further diagnostics.
For most of my life, I’ve been drawn to nature and health. I grew up in a family that valued home-cooked meals with ingredients fresh from the garden. We also had an amazing backyard (a very large one, for Queens NY), and an abundance of fruit trees and flowers, thanks to my parents being avid gardeners. From the time I was really young, I would put together different “herbal remedies”, mixing different flowers and plant parts to pails of water in the backyard.
I was also fortunate to spend a great deal of time with my Ukrainian grandparents, who lived around the block from us. They recycled everything, made preserves using berries from the yard, and lived very simply with what they had. These experiences created a deep connection with my cultural roots (including years of Ukrainian folk dance!), and sparked an ongoing love of plant and herbal medicine, as well as natural remedies. As I got older, I began to get inspired by stories of people healing chronic ailments using simple methods like improving their diet and practicing meditation. I became particularly interested in women’s health conditions, and how well these would respond to diet, lifestyle changes, and herbal medicine.
Fast forward to naturopathic school, where I felt most at home in our school clinic’s herbal dispensary, where I would make up herbal remedies and salves for my patients. This is still what I enjoy the most: coming up with individualized remedies and plans for my patients, including nutrition and herbal medicine.
Here’s me in one of my favorite places in the world (left); the flowerbed in my family’s backyard. I would spend all day exploring and observing nature, and collecting rocks, plants, and insects.
Ready for my Ukrainian folk dance performance!
Education & Training:
I’ve been either practicing or studying nutrition, health, yoga, meditation, and therapeutic massage since 2004. My experience with healing arts work in addition to naturopathic medical training allows me to utilize a vast array of modalities to support you on your path to optimal health.
I obtained my B.S. in Biology at SUNY Purchase in 2003. I subsequently completed two years and 1,300 hours of training in clinical massage therapy and traditional Chinese medicine at New York College of Health Professions in 2006. This training incorporated a cultural and educational trip to China, which deepened my commitment to restoring health using the most natural means possible. I then earned my Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University San Diego in 2016. After graduating, I completed a residency program at an integrative primary care clinic in Vermont, with a focus on women’s health.
Professional Affiliations and Education
Registered Naturopathic Doctor by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (Registration #1086)
Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine, Bastyr University California (2016)
Associates Degree in Massage Therapy, New York College of Health Professions (2006)
Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, Purchase College (2003)
At SoulSeed™ Wellness our mission is to help you uncover the root cause of your symptoms and develop a customized treatment plan that fits you as an individual.
We begin with your health story because it’s important for me to understand the full context of your well-being. You are more than a set of symptoms to be ‘fixed’, you’re an individual with a unique set of experiences that have brought you to this point.
I’ll help you to discover what roadblocks stand between you and your best health; often it’s difficult to see your own potential when you’re stuck somewhere.
Together, we’ll create the optimal environment for you to thrive!
About Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Medicine is a unique system of medicine that leverages conventional testing and treatment options when needed, but favors a holistic and natural approach.
This system focuses on your inherent wellness and ability to heal, using the most gentle and natural means possible.
This is a different sort of doctor-patient relationship than you may be accustomed to.
As a Naturopathic Doctor, I work with you as a partner in your health. I’m here to meet you exactly where you are on your health journey, and help guide you back to feeling great.
I’ll spend more time with you, often 90 minutes to 2 hours for our initial visit. This is in addition to the time I put in to prepare for our visit, and the time after our visit to put together a customized wellness plan for you.
I utilize a variety of evidence-based natural treatments to optimize health and help prevent future chronic health issues. I focus on looking at current symptoms using a larger lens, allowing me to see your health more holistically.
Basically, I want to know what set of experiences brought you to your current state of health, and how I can support you in re-establishing the conditions for you to feel great. I seek to help you in removing the obstacles keeping you from achieving your health goals.
Often this is as simple as having me as the objective observer, helping you to see where the blockages are. It’s like you’re in a forest, feeling a bit lost without a map. This is where I come in; I’m able to get a view of the whole forest, so I can help guide you in the right direction back to your goals, giving you achievable and sustainable steps to get there.
When I think of our health as individuals, it reminds me of tiny seeds.
Seeds hold infinite potential within them, but they can only grow and thrive when they have healthy soil, sunlight, fertilizer, hydration, and a skilled gardener to tend to them.
To get those seeds to become strong plants that will flower and bear healthy fruit, it takes even more care, including pruning and regular attention in order to help them thrive.
This is similar to us in our bodies. When we provide the right environment, our body is able to function optimally. This starts with a healthy mindset, proper nutrition, hydration, and overall self care.
“Like a tiny seed provided with the right environment and nutrients, you have the potential to completely transform yourself and thrive.”
FAQs
Should I still have a primary care doctor if I come see you?
I do encourage my patients to establish care with a primary care care provider (MD, Ob/Gyn, DO, NP, PA). This is because I recommend regular screening exams, including pelvic exam, PAP, mammogram, colonoscopy, and basic screening labs. Since I don’t currently offer pelvic exams and PAPs (even though it is within my Naturopathic scope of practice), it makes sense to be established with another women's health care provider. It also makes sense to have certain labs and diagnostics ordered by your primary care provider so these may be covered by insurance. I also recommend having a primary care doctor for more urgent care and acute care needs. While I can certainly give you guidance in some cases, I'm not on-call for these needs.
Do you prescribe medications / Are you against medications?
I’m not able to prescribe medications in Minnesota, which is another reason to establish care with a primary care provider, in case this is needed. And no, I am not against medications! In fact I received extensive training in pharmacology, and did occasionally prescribe medications during my residency in Vermont (Vermont scope of practice allowed prescribing). I believe there’s a time and place for medications, and these can be life-saving. Also, sometimes the body has gotten so out of balance, that something stronger than nutrition and herbs is needed. Through our work together, you may no longer need to rely on medications (although any changes in meds need to be under the supervision of your prescribing doctor). With my background, I’m also able to evaluate any potential interactions betweens your medications and supplements (like herbs, vitamins, or minerals) which is important (just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s safe for you specifically!).
Can you order lab tests?
Yes! I can order basic blood tests, but I’ll often order more comprehensive labs than are done conventionally, to get a bigger picture of your health. In addition, I do functional lab testing, including stool testing for gut health, urinary hormone testing (DUTCH panel), adrenal testing, and more.
What’s it like to work with you?
Once we determine that we are a good fit for your health needs and goals, I’ll send you an in-depth initial intake form to fill out before our visit. I’ll spend time reviewing your forms before our meeting. We’ll meet for your initial visit virtually through a secure video chat platform (Zoom). We’ll spend 1.5-2 hours getting to know each other, reviewing your health history and goals. You’ll leave this visit with an initial plan, which often includes dietary and supplement recommendations, lifestyle recommendations, and instructions for any lab testing we will be doing. A day or two after our visit, you’ll receive your customized wellness plan through the patient portal. We’ll typically follow up in the first 6-8 weeks to help you stay on track with the plan, and discuss any obstacles that have come up. During your follow up visits, we’ll review any lab test results and further develop your plan. Follow up visits will continue every 6-8 weeks until your symptoms are clear. After that, we may meet as needed, or annually for check-ins to help you stay on track with your health.
Connect with me
Dr. Pellegrino is located in Woodbury MN, and is currently offering virtual visits via ZOOM or phone. *Virtual visits are for residents of Minnesota only. In-person visits available upon request at Dr. Pellegrino’s Woodbury office.