Anti-stress

Which anti-stress food supplement should you choose?

Stress feels different from one woman to another: for some, it means nervousness and feeling on edge; for others, elusive sleep or lingering emotional fatigue. The right supplement is the one that meets your needs right now:

Nervousness and feeling on edge : magnesium is the first thing to consider. Mama-gnésium is a supplement containing 100 % magnesium bisglycinate, a well-absorbed form that is gentle on digestion; magnesium contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system and a reduction in tiredness and fatigue [1]. It is our go-to anti-stress magnesium supplement, compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Relaxing evening ritual : Mama Relax combines magnesium and glycine in a neutral-tasting powder with no added sugar, to mix into a drink in the evening.

Persistent stress and mental load : ashwagandha is a plant with adaptogenic properties that helps the body resist and better manage stress, and contributes to emotional balance [6]. Our Ashwagandha is an organic KSM-66® root extract at 600 mg per day. It is for adults only and is not intended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. 

Restless sleep and racing thoughts : Mama Dreams combines lemon balm, chamomile and glycine, without synthetic melatonin, and is compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding. Sweet Mama herbal tea (organic chamomile and apple) extends the evening ritual and is also compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Low energy and low mood : magnesium and vitamin B6 contribute to normal psychological function and a reduction in tiredness and fatigue [1]. For emotional balance, saffron helps support emotional balance and maintain a positive mood: you’ll find it in Happy Postpartum, our saffron-based supplement for after birth.

Low energy and lack of daylight : Sunny Mummy provides plant-based vitamin D3 and K2. Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system and the maintenance of normal muscle function [1]; a deficiency, common in winter, can sustain feelings of tiredness.

And if you could keep just one? Mama-gnésium: it is the foundation of an anti-stress supplement routine, taken as a few capsules a day, and is suitable throughout every stage of a woman’s life, including pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Salomé, mum of 2 boys, 24/07/2026

I’ve been taking the magnesium for several months now and I’m very happy with it. It has considerably improved the quality of my sleep. Even when my nights are short or interrupted, I feel energised, calmer and less irritable.

Magnesium and stress: the mineral for nervous system balance

Stress and magnesium can reinforce each other: periods of tension increase magnesium loss, while lower magnesium levels make the body more reactive to stress. Research describes this as a vicious cycle between stress and magnesium [4]. That is why magnesium is a logical starting point when you want to address nervousness. The authorised claims are clear: magnesium contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system, normal psychological function, normal energy-yielding metabolism and a reduction in tiredness and fatigue [1]. Several reviews have examined its effect on perceived anxiety and stress, finding encouraging indications that still need to be confirmed [3]. The combination of magnesium and vitamin B6 has also been studied in adults experiencing marked stress [5]. As for the form, bisglycinate is known for its good absorption and digestive tolerance: Mama-gnésium contains 100 % magnesium bisglycinate. For a relaxing moment in the evening, Mama Relax combines magnesium with glycine powder.

Ashwagandha: an adaptogenic plant for stress

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a plant with adaptogenic properties, often highlighted for managing periods of mental and nervous tension and anxiety. It helps the body resist and manage stress, contributes to emotional balance and general wellbeing, helps with recovery after stressful events and promotes the onset of sleep. Clinical trials using a standardised extract have observed reduced perceived stress and lower levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, in stressed adults [6]. Our Ashwagandha is an organic KSM-66® root extract standardised to 5 % withanolides, taken at a dose of 600 mg per day, generally in two doses.

An important safety point: ashwagandha is for adults only. It is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if you have a thyroid, liver or heart condition, or take sedative medicines. In April 2024, ANSES reiterated these precautions and urged caution, particularly because of the lack of safety data for these groups [7]. If you are currently taking medication or are unsure, seek advice from a healthcare professional before starting [7, 9]. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consider the magnesium and calming plants described below that are compatible with these periods.

Stress, sleep and emotional fatigue: breaking the cycle

Stress, anxiety and sleep problems often go together: you sleep badly because your thoughts keep going round, and you cope less well with stress because you have slept badly. Focusing on the evening can help break this cycle. Glycine, an amino acid, has been studied for sleep quality and the feeling of waking up more rested [8]; it is found in Mama Dreams and Mama Relax. Mama Dreams also combines lemon balm and chamomile, two calming plants, without synthetic melatonin, and is compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding. To establish a routine, Sweet Mama herbal tea (organic chamomile and apple) can be drunk an hour before bed and is also compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Emotional fatigue can show itself in a few ways: irritability, feeling on edge, difficulty concentrating and wanting to put everything on hold. It is not an illness, but a sign of being overworked. In terms of nutrients, magnesium and B vitamins, including B6, contribute to normal psychological function and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue [1]. If a lack of daylight is also a factor, the vitamin D in Sunny Mummy helps you through winter by supporting the immune system and muscle function [1].

Pregnancy, postpartum and stress: what can you take?

Pregnancy and the first weeks with your baby are times when stress and sleep can be challenging, and when you need to be more selective about what you take. The golden rule: avoid plants that act on hormones and powerful adaptogens. Specifically, ashwagandha is not intended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding [7], and saffron at medicinal doses is not recommended during pregnancy.

There are still reassuring options: magnesium in Mama-gnésium, which is compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding and contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue [1]; Mama Relax powder for relaxation, Mama Dreams for sleep (lemon balm, chamomile, glycine, no melatonin) and Sweet Mama herbal tea, both formulated for these periods; and the vitamin D in Sunny Mummy for general wellbeing. After birth, when emotional balance can be fragile, the saffron in Happy Postpartum can help support emotional balance and maintain a positive mood. If stress or anxiety persists during pregnancy or after birth, it is worth talking to your midwife or doctor.

Anti-stress supplement course: when to start and for how long?

You can start an anti-stress supplement course as soon as you feel tension rising, and assess it over time. Magnesium is taken in two or three doses a day with meals for at least one to three months, allowing time to replenish your stores. A course can be repeated during busy periods. For adults, ashwagandha is assessed over four to eight weeks, following the stated dose. Evening formulas such as Mama Dreams, Mama Relax and Sweet Mama herbal tea can be used at bedtime for as long as needed. One tip: don’t pile on the products. A foundation of magnesium, supplemented if needed with sleep support or, for adults who are not pregnant, ashwagandha, is enough in most cases. Each product page states how long a pack lasts and the recommended dosage.

Stress and diet: the basics before supplements

A supplement can complement your diet, never replace it. To support a nervous system under strain, start with magnesium-rich foods: green vegetables, pulses, nuts and seeds, wholegrains and dark chocolate. Add sources of B vitamins (wholegrains, eggs, fish) and omega-3s (oily fish), and limit excess coffee and alcohol, which can prolong feelings of nervousness and disrupt sleep. Regular meals help prevent energy dips that worsen irritability, and staying well hydrated matters too. Alongside these basics, a targeted course of supplements, starting with magnesium, can provide a little extra support during busy periods.