NEW Google Search Interface

Natural Standard recently launched a new Google search interface allowing users to quickly search all Natural Standard databases and view the most relevant results fast.

This new technology allows clinicians, researchers and manufacturers to search for foods, herbs, supplements, alternative modalities and medical conditions separately or together. Search results provide finely tuned results at the top and Google's traditional search algorithm below.

In addition to the new Google search technology, Natural Standard also offers an Advanced Search feature. This feature allows users to filter their search by the following:

Reading level: Professional, Bottom line, Flashcard

Language: English, Spanish

Limit: Title, Text

Database: Food, Herbs & Supplements; Health & Wellness; Medical Conditions; Comparative Effectiveness; News & Events; Brand Names; Dictionary; References; Interactions; Charts & Tables; Depletions: Herbs & Supplements; Depletions: Drugs & OTCs

Comments

[SB]

Now that this feature has been up and running for a while, it would be interesting to know if it has helped to grow the business. I find database search engines to be valuable, because you do not always know where to go to locate specific information.

[NA]

This is great news for NS as it increases the accessibility of its information. Many people use Google as a search engine and often turn to Google to initiate a search for a quick answer. This new interface seems like an efficient way in which a practitioner could quickly do a search, especially if a patient has a question about a natural product, and needs a prompt response. This will provide the practitioner access, not only to evidence based information, but also other useful tools, at site that is easy to navigate.

[LO]

I love this about the Natural Standard site! It's so easy to navigate and just type in the search field what you're looking for. What a great, user-friendly resource!!

[Carla]

The search feature is especially useful if you are looking for a monograph and you are not sure what name it will be under, or if you only know the Latin name. For example I just looked up "isphagula" on the Natural Standard website without being sure what it was and the first result was the monograph for psyllium.

[sl]

This Google interface seems very user friendly. As someone who already uses Google as a search engine, I am delighted to see Natural Standard incorporating this technology. My favorite search filter to use is reading level. I love that I can search “professional” for more detailed information or “bottom line” or “flashcard” if I need brief information that can quickly be read and extended to others.

[MAK]

Having a search feature like this makes the natural standard page even more user friendly. Google has become universal for internet users these days and therefore people feel more comfortable to search engines that operate like Google does. Personally, I find it frustrating when I cannot find the answer I am looking for as quickly as I had expected. This feature definitely helps! I can’t wait to use it more.

[AB]

I am always astounded by the amount of information and detail available on the Natural Standard website. While searching for a particular detail about a supplement I end up learning something that I never knew before. There is so much useful information to be found and it is very helpful and interesting.

[LindaB]

Did you know that the "Patient Handouts" can be printed in English OR Spanish? What a useful feature!!

[AD]

Its awesome that NS is now on the google search engine! It will definitely make patients and practitioners more aware of the great services they offer, such as the interaction checker (which looks at both herbal and conventional medicine interactions). What will be helpful especially when quickly "googling" something is the Natural Standard "bottom line" for practitioners as well as the flashcard look which provides more basic medical information for the every day searcher. Thanks to Google and Natural Standard for this resource!

[Kevin Franck]

This new search interface provides a great means of cross referencing all the different databases on Natural Standard. It is not only returning search results faster and more efficiently, but will bring about other useful information that the user might not even have thought to check such as a related news article.

[FM]

The quality of features on Natural Standard's website is astounding. The interaction checkers, symptom checkers, calculators, training programs, various databases, and patient handouts allow healthcare practitioners to address every angle of a patient's illness. To have this all in one place is even better. I really look forward to becoming more acquainted with the website.

[ronak]

I have yet to use this new feature, but pairing with Google to run the search interface for Natural Standards is a great idea. Most people today, use Google, as their main search engine. This will make navigating Natural standards for most people even easier than it already was. Overall, this is a marvelous idea, and a great way to stay up to date with technology advances.

[LindaB]

I feel extremely comfortable using the NS database. Even if when I can't remember which menu contains a particular category, because then I can just type it into the Search field, and "voila!"

[CP]

Always a good idea to keep technology up-to-date. I think it's great that users can access their queries so quickly. This benefits practitioners and consumers alike. Way to go NS!

[E]

I love that Natural Standard is so committed to being user-friendly. They work tirelessly to keep improving and expanding the databases. This feature is so handy when I'm researching the answer to a specific question. Google and Natural Standard make a great team!

[Scooby]

This Google interface makes searching for terms or topics very easy and efficient. The advanced option puts more control in the user's hands, thus narrowing down queries so that the results are even more tailored to suit the user.

A great feature for a great resource!

[SMK]

This new technology is something that any website visitor can appreciate - whether they are consumers, pharmacist, doctors, insurance companies, etc. Receiving pertinent results faster leaves more time for work...and play. Plus, who doesn't love Google? I know I do!

[Dobgima]

To me a Google search engine is a must have. I am glad this is working well since i have use it a couple of time, and makes digging into tones of information much easier. The most amazing part is that you can actually specify your search to get a more specific information. Now it is easier to look up any herb, recipe or any strange practice under alternative medicine that claims to have some effect.

[DC]

Google is a widely used tool by internet browsers. I think it's great to introduce such technology since its convenient and efficient to find the necessary, accurate information with one search.

[CC]

I have been using this search feature and it is very convenient. I use it for quick searches (especially when I’m reading articles or blogs) to look up a natural and complementary medicine quickly. It saves time by decreasing the number of webpages that have to load in order to get to your endpoint. For example, I just searched green tea and the first result was the professional monograph, I was able to skim it and quickly find the answer to my question. Everyone should take advantage of this new search feature!

[MN]

I've gotten the pleasure of testing the search options myself. The website is now even more easy to navigate and I can now find information almost instantly with this new Google search interface.

[PCO]

Having an effective search engine is essential for any database. It is great that NS is utilizing Google search because nearly everyone is familiar with this search engine. If someone is in a hurry, this search engine enables the user to get the results quickly.