Faced with hundreds of pages to read for the next exam, some college students have started to pass on the old standbys like coffee and No-Doz, reaching for herbal tea and ginseng instead.

Herbal remedies are becoming increasingly popular among the American public. And the all-natural trend is attracting college students who have their share of stress to relieve.

In the struggle to stay awake, students are turning toward natural substances such as ginseng or blue-green algae, which some say evinces an energy boost.

Too much stress? Kava Kava is said to relax the central nervous system and help the body deal better with stress, without decreasing mental sharpness.

If these herbs are proven effective, they could potentially offer the boost that many college students seek. As of yet, the scientific community has not come to a consensus on the validity of herbal rememdies.

But some students are not waiting for statistics or scientific endorsement--many claim the best way to determine the validity of these claims is to try out the herbal treatments.

Amy R. Berliner '02, an adamant supporter of herbal therapy, stocks her medicine cabinet with blue-green algae, Vitamin C and St John's wort, which is claimed to support a healthy mood and even help relieve mild depression.

Following her mother's suggestion, Berliner started using herbal therapy years ago.

"When I was old enough to regulate it myself, I decided to stop," said Berliner. "But when I started again, I felt my general health improve a lot. Blue-green algae gives me a great boost in energy and helps me deal with stress better."

Spirulina, a nutrient-dense form of blue-green algae, is said to promote increased energy, as well as support internal cleansing.

For Berliner, herbal supplements have become part of her daily routine for "physical and mental health reasons." And she said she wouldn't hesitate to recommend the supplements to a friend who might be in need of an energy booster.

The drug-store selection of herbal remedies can be overwhelming.

Echinacea purpurea, commonly called echinacea, is said to stimulate the immune system when the body first becomes inflicted with a germ or bug.

Ginkgo biloba improves circulation, which consequently stimulates mental sharpness, especially the function of memory.

Several roots and herbs can affect the nervous system in ways that may be appealing to stressed-out, overworked college students.