Most CBD capsules contain cannabinoids and a carrier. Two of the Healing Essence raw flower capsules contain a short list of botanicals as well.
They are not decorative, and they are the clearest difference between RENEW and CALM — two capsules that otherwise share the same foundation.
Educational content only. This article is not medical advice. If you take medication, have a health condition, are pregnant, or are planning surgery, talk with a qualified clinician before adding CBD to your routine.
The same base, different herbs
RENEW and CALM are both raw flower capsules carrying 20 mg CBD and 2 mg THC. Identical on the cannabinoid line.
What separates them is what else is in the capsule.
RENEW — ashwagandha and cacao. Made from "Valentine" flower. Built for the morning.
CALM — valerian root, lavender and tulsi basil. Made from "ACDC" flower. Built for the evening.
The cannabinoids hold steady; the botanicals carry the time of day.
What each one is
Ashwagandha is a root used in Ayurvedic practice for a very long time, and it is commonly grouped with the adaptogens — plants associated with the body's response to stress. It is among the better-studied botanicals in this list, though the research base is still mixed and much of it is small.
Cacao is the unprocessed form of what becomes chocolate. It carries its own naturally occurring compounds, theobromine among them, and has a long history as a morning preparation in the cultures that first cultivated it.
Valerian root has been used in connection with evening routines for centuries and appears in a considerable number of traditional nighttime preparations.
Lavender is one of the most widely used botanicals in the world, and its association with the end of the day is probably the most familiar on this list.
Tulsi basil, also called holy basil, is another plant from the Ayurvedic tradition, grouped alongside ashwagandha among the adaptogens.
Where we will stop
You will notice we have described what these plants are and how they have been used, rather than what they do.
That is deliberate. Botanical research is uneven: some of these have reasonable human evidence behind them, some have mostly traditional use and laboratory work, and the quality varies considerably between studies. Writing that treats a long history of use as proof of an effect is doing something we would rather not do.
What we can say honestly is that these are well-established plants, chosen deliberately, grouped by the time of day they have traditionally been associated with. Whether that combination suits you is a question only your own fortnight of notes can answer.
Why put them in the capsule at all
Convenience is the straightforward reason. Someone who would otherwise take CBD and a separate ashwagandha capsule can take one.
The less obvious reason is consistency. Separate supplements get taken irregularly — one remembered, one forgotten. A single capsule removes that drift.
If you do not want the botanicals
That is a perfectly reasonable preference, and the line accommodates it.
ACTIVE is raw flower with no added botanicals — 20 mg CBDa and 20 mg CBGa.
RESTORE, RELAX and RELIEF are the sesame oil capsules, built around specific cannabinoids without added herbs.
Worth knowing: if you already take ashwagandha or valerian separately, a capsule containing them will add to your total rather than replace it. Check what you are already taking before you stack.
Where to go next
- The full comparison → CBD capsules: how to choose between six formulas
- Morning or evening → When to take a CBD capsule
- The THC question → What 2 mg of THC is doing in a CBD capsule
- Questions about your own situation → Contact us
The botanical capsules
