In stressful phases, many people rely on magnesium, which contributes to a normal function of the nervous system and to normal psychological function, as well as on traditionally used plants such as ashwagandha, valerian, St John's wort and passionflower for more inner calm and balance in everyday life.
Deadlines, screen time, sensory overload: modern everyday life places high demands on our nerves. Many people want to master demanding phases with more inner calm and composure and look for nutrients and plants that suit strong nerves and a good balance. The range is large and reaches from minerals to traditionally used plant complexes. In this guide we classify the most important building blocks and present you with a curated selection of Scheunengut products. This is about well-being, nerve function and relaxation in a healthy everyday life – not about treating mental illnesses.
Our aim is to give you orientation within the large range instead of convincing you with superlatives. We look at the building blocks with a clear nutrient connection and at the plants that are traditionally used around calm and relaxation. This way you can decide for yourself whether a solid mineral basis is enough for you or whether you are additionally looking for botanical companions for calm moments and a restful evening routine. In the end, what counts is what suits your everyday life and your personal feeling.
What matters for the goal of nerves & stress
On the nutrient side, one mineral is clearly at the centre: magnesium contributes to a normal function of the nervous system and to normal psychological function. In addition, magnesium helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue and contributes to a normal energy-yielding metabolism. Especially in phases of high strain, in which the need often rises anyway, a good magnesium supply is therefore an obvious basic building block. Folate too contributes to normal psychological function and is found as a sensible addition in several balance complexes.
What is fascinating is that around nerves and stress two very different worlds come together: clearly formulated nutrient connections on the one hand and a centuries-old plant tradition on the other. With minerals such as magnesium, the connection to nerve function and psychological function is unambiguously named. Plants like ashwagandha, valerian or passionflower, on the other hand, are traditionally used around calm and relaxation without this becoming a healing promise. Many people value precisely this combination – a solid nutrient basis, complemented by traditionally used botanical companions for calm moments. How you bring the two together is up to you and may well be guided by your personal feeling. When it comes to dosage, keep in mind that more is not automatically better – the recommended intake on the packaging gives you a sensible framework. And give your routine time: especially with plant products and when building up the magnesium supply, the benefit usually shows only with regular intake over several weeks, not already after the first capsule.
On the plant side, ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is particularly well known today – a root that has long been used in the Ayurvedic tradition as a so-called adaptogenic plant. Quality shows here in standardised branded raw materials with a defined withanolide content, because only in this way is the amount of the characteristic plant substances traceable. Classics among the relaxation plants are also valerian, passionflower and St John's wort, which are traditionally used in connection with calm and often appear together in one complex. For the evening routine, finally, melatonin plays a role: it helps to reduce the time taken to fall asleep – the statement applies when 1 mg is taken close to bedtime. Good sleep and strong nerves are closely connected, which is why these building blocks complement each other well.
When making a choice, a clear look at your own goal helps: if it is above all about solid nerve nourishment for the day, magnesium is the obvious starting point. If you are looking for botanical companions for calm moments, the traditionally used relaxation plants are a suitable addition. And if sleep is in the foreground, it is worth looking at an evening product. With plant extracts, pay attention to standardised raw materials with defined contents – this creates transparency and makes products comparable with one another, instead of having to rely on vague information.
Our product recommendations
Complex of 4 bioactive magnesium sources – 400 mg elemental
Magnesium is our basic favourite around nerves and balance, because it contributes to a normal function of the nervous system and to normal psychological function. This complex combines as many as four bioactive magnesium sources with 400 mg of elemental magnesium – a well-thought-out line-up for everyone who relies on good availability and does not want to trust just a single form of magnesium. For us the most obvious basic equipment in demanding phases and a solid foundation on which you can build further building blocks.
Inner Balance – St John's wort, valerian, passionflower, folate
This plant complex unites three classics of the relaxation tradition at once – St John's wort, valerian and passionflower – and complements them with folate, which contributes to normal psychological function. For everyone who is looking for botanical companions for calm moments and inner balance, it is a rounded, topic-specific choice. The combination bundles three traditionally used plants in a single product, so that you do not have to assemble them individually.
Ashwagandha – branded raw material with at least 5% withanolides
Anyone who wants to rely specifically on ashwagandha will find here a high-quality branded raw material with a standardised content of at least 5 percent withanolides. The root is traditionally used as an adaptogenic plant, and the clear standardisation makes this product a particularly transparent choice for everyone who values defined quality and traceable contents. A focused building block for everyone who wants to bring this one plant consciously into their routine.
View Ashwagandha branded raw material
Melatonin sleep complex – 1 mg per tablet
Good sleep is an important part of coping with stress, because recovery during the night makes demanding days easier. This sleep complex delivers 1 mg of melatonin per tablet – melatonin helps to reduce the time taken to fall asleep when 1 mg is taken close to bedtime. As an evening building block it rounds off a conscious routine for restful nights and complements the magnesium and plant products for the day.
Foundations first
No supplement replaces the foundations of good nerve health. Sufficient, regular sleep is the foundation – it gives body and mind the time to recover that they need in order to deal with strain. Movement in the fresh air breaks down tension and provides a clear head, and conscious breaks, breathing exercises or short walks help to structure the day and dose stimuli. A balanced, magnesium-rich diet with nuts, wholegrains, pulses and green vegetables provides important basic nutrients and creates the basis that targeted supplementation can subsequently complement. A conscious approach to caffeine and screen time in the evening also pays into inner calm.
Just as important as the right building blocks is an honest expectation: food supplementation can support a good routine, but it does not take decisions off your hands and does not remove permanent overload. Anyone who addresses the causes of persistent stress – for example through clear priorities, boundaries and regular recovery – creates the basis on which individual building blocks can unfold their purpose in the first place. In this interplay of everyday life, movement, sleep and targeted supplementation lies the actual lever for strong nerves.
Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. They can complement a conscious routine – best regularly and in keeping with the respective recommended intake. If you are permanently under heavy strain, take medication (St John's wort, for example, can have interactions with other agents), are pregnant or breastfeeding, please discuss the intake with your doctor beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which nutrient supports the nerves in everyday life?
Magnesium contributes to a normal function of the nervous system and to normal psychological function. In addition, it helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue – an obvious basic nutrient for demanding phases.
What is ashwagandha traditionally used for?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has long been valued in the Ayurvedic tradition as an adaptogenic plant. Quality products rely on standardised extracts with a defined content of withanolides.
What distinguishes valerian and passionflower?
Both plants are traditionally used in connection with calm and relaxation. They are often combined – for example with St John's wort – in complex products around inner balance.
Can I combine several of these products?
The products pursue different focuses – for example magnesium for the nervous system and plant complexes for balance. Stick to the respective recommended intake on the packaging and keep an eye on the total amount of individual substances.
When do I take a sleep supplement with melatonin?
Melatonin helps to reduce the time taken to fall asleep; the statement applies when 1 mg is taken close to bedtime. Such products are therefore taken in the evening. Observe the information on the packaging.
Health notice: This guide is for general information purposes only and does not replace individual medical or pharmaceutical advice. Food supplements are not a substitute for a balanced, varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you have health concerns, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking medication, please consult a doctor or pharmacist. How our guides are created →
Sources
- EU Register of authorised health claims — Magnesium trägt zu einer normalen Funktion des Nervensystems und zu einer normalen psychischen Funktion bei., 2024
- German Nutrition Society (DGE) — Referenzwerte für Magnesium und weitere Mikronährstoffe., 2024
- Federal Centre for Nutrition (BZfE) — Ausgewogene Ernährung, Bewegung und Schlaf sind die Basis für Wohlbefinden in fordernden Phasen., 2024
