Nautilus Integrative Medicine - Dr. Sarah Z, ND, APRN, FNP-C

07/20/2025

We take one big family vacation each year and we're happy to report that it was a huge success with great weather and a surprise 9th birthday bash at the beach! A big "Thank You" to Angela, our amazing office manager, for keeping the show running behind the scenes. Also, a big shout-out to our patients for their understanding as we recharged and rested. Now back to GREAT MEDICINE tomorrow!

07/06/2025

Every. Single. Year.
Every year, I end up with at least one tick bite that leaves me hiding under an umbrella at the beach while I get treated for Lyme - I've pulled TWO of these little monsters on me in the last 24 hours. For reference, the last one I found is that TINY little speck you see above my pen (and, yes, I love myself a steno pad).

These guys are TOUGH to see. I highly recommend a lighted magnifying glass to give yourself the once-over after yard work. Even if you're only out a short time, they can ride in on your clothes. Give yourself and pets/kids/family the once-over each night to make sure they're not snacking on anyone!

07/04/2025

The Lions organization is near and dear to our hearts - Dr. Z's Dad was an active Lion in Lebanon, CT and the Lions Club Mission of charity and working to eliminate preventable blindness is truly a noble cause! We're excited to be a sponsor for their Niantic Arts & Crafts Show program this year, and we thank Dr. Engel for stopping by our office to say hello! Go grab some great food, and enjoy some local artistic talent! We'll see you there!

06/27/2025

Summer in New England means everyone is out and about! I love watching the world go by outside the office windows, but the old ER nurse in me absolutely CRINGES when I see kids (and adults) on wheels with no helmets!

For any activity where we can make contact with another person, a vehicle, or the cement, make sure you've got the right safety gear for your hobby. Most important? Your noggin. A concussion can take nearly a YEAR to recover from. Kids who get even ONE concussions are at higher risk for cognitive, learning and emotional issues long-term. Wear your helmets, folks. No excuses.

~ Sincerely, a Gen-Xer who knocked herself out cold flipping over her handlebars in the 80s.

06/22/2025

Let's pivot to some summertime safety. This is a great article (with video) on water safety and spotting people who are in danger in the water. Remember, drowning doesn't look like what we see on TV - and being aware can save a life.

Drowning is not the violent, splashing, call for help that most people expect. And parents: children playing in the water make noise. When they get quiet, you get to them and find out why.

06/18/2025

Boy, do I love the tough ones - patients, projects, houses, plants. In all of my spare time (because practicing medicine, running a business, and staying 1 step ahead of an 8 year old isn't enough!), I'm trying to save an old building from demolition for a drive-through Dunkin' that's - surprise - right next to ANOTHER Dunkin'. Help us out and sign the petition if you'd like - please no donations. Because, even though us oldies could use a little fluffing and buffing sometimes, it doesn't mean we're not solid in our foundations, have great bones, and can be AWESOME again given a little time and attention :) Link in Comments (and check out my vision for what she could become, also in comments)!! And thank you in advance!

Nurse Practitioner and Naturopathic Doctor Sarah Zambarano treats adult health concerns, including hormones, thyroid disorders, digestion, weight, auto-immune disease, and endocrine and metabolic disturbances via in-person or telehealth in Connecticut. Treatments can include herbal medicine, hormone

06/15/2025

We love to "give back" by supporting projects and organizations that we feel reflect our values. We're excited to be sponsors for the East Lyme Giving Garden - they are fantastic stewards of the planet, magicians of organic gardening, and work to end food insecurity. What's not to love???
https://www.facebook.com/EastLymeGivingGarden

The East Lyme Giving Garden began growing produce in 2020 at the Samuel Smith Farmstead for donation to local food pantries. We are neighbors helping neighbors... and we expanded to a new larger location in central Flanders for 2021!

06/11/2025

We only choose products for our office that we use and love ourselves.

Check out our new Poppy & Pout lip tints and lip balms! We've got some GORGEOUS lip colors, and the new line of lip balm from The Landmark Project. 10% of the proceeds from the lip balms go to supporting National Parks. Not only are they 100% natural, they're plastic-free and cruelty-free! We love products with a purpose!

06/10/2025

All. The. Time. I see this SO often. One more fun peri-menopausal symptom - good news: you don't need surgery and it's completely treatable! The key is to jump in fast before range of motion is lost, and then be patient with ourselves as it heals.

“Frozen shoulder” is a real condition causing stiffness and difficulty in raising the arm. It mostly affects women, striking peri- or post-menopausal women more commonly than anyone else. The painful affliction can last for years—but has long been ignored by medical researchers who doubted its existence. New treatments may finally promise a cure.

Learn more about frozen shoulder and how it might finally be addressed at: https://on.natgeo.com/4jElXAn

06/03/2025

I'm showing off our first office flower to bloom outside this year - Echinacea, otherwise known as Coneflower. A potent native plant, loved by pollinators, gardeners and herbalists 🌱🐝

I've been "into" plants since my first memories. Much of my life is remembered in the flowers and trees that were in the landscapes around me and I can truly say I have a bond with my plants. Just ask my favorite apple tree. 🌳 They're little "beings" with their own patterns of communication and - if you listen - they'll be pretty darn clear about what they like and don't like.

Plant medicine is powerful stuff. Each plant has a "vibe" in the way it behaves. When I recommend an herbal medication to a patient, trust that I've done a "vibe check" to make sure that specific plant - with it's potency, personality, and action - fits with that person in front of me. I don't like willy-nilly protocols, because it's NEVER a one-size-fits-all situation. The herb that works for one person won't necessarily work the same for another - and a lot of the combination formulas out there won't have enough of each herb to make a difference.

Herbal medicine is a fluid thing - the doses, forms, and combinations need to fit the situation. I'm always in awe of the effectiveness of the right herbs doin' their thing like the little superheroes they are...how lucky am I that I get to practice this medicine??

06/02/2025

Something for you all on a more personal level! I'm in LOVE with all things historic and all things renovation, up-cycle, restoration and preservation. There's a building in my hometown of Norwich that is under threat of demo for a Dunkin' drive-through (boooooo, Dunkin'). If you want to help me out, or feel passionate about keeping New England as gorgeous as she is, consider signing my petition. Thank you!

Tell Dunkin' to Preserve the Historic West Town Street School

02/24/2025

It took me almost a full year, but I finally found the art that makes me happy in the exam room! I love antiques and collect old postcards, so I had a print made of my one of my favorites - a postcard of the beach from about 1880! There's so much happening in the photo - people swimming (in full dress!), lounging on the beach, playing with their kids and chatting with friends...I just love the glimpse of a super fun moment long since passed. Hope you enjoy it too!