Bud & Tender is one of the leading UK CBD supplement companies, which focuses on producing high quality broad-spectrum CBD products. Check out our full Bud & Tender review below .
About Bud & Tender CBD
Founded in 2017 by Mark Turner. BSc and Charles Clowes, Bud & Tender (originally Dot Green Ltd) was born after its founders witnessed the benefits of CBD on the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Their mission is to develop high quality CBD cannabis supplements that are backed by medical science which is why the company is using state-of-the-art facilities at the University of Hertfordshire to advance the development of their products.
Their Hemp is grown in the US and they are one of the only companies using both a CO2 and ethanol extraction process to produce their broad-spectrum CBD oil.
Bud & Tender is a member of the British Hemp Alliance, whose aim is to create a thriving domestic hemp industry, and is also the only CBD oil recommended to patients and members of the UK Cannabis Social Clubs, a not for profit Non-Government Organisation founded in 2011.
Bud & Tender CBD oil is made of broad-spectrum CBD and contains no artificial preservatives, no GMOs and no pesticides. As a broad-spectrum product, their CBD products have all the other all-natural hemp extracts such as CBDv (Cannabidivarin), CBG (Cannabigerol), CBC (Cannabichromene) and CBT (Cannabicitran), as well as the naturally-occurring terpenes, flavonoids, and Omega acids which can be found in full-spectrum CBD, but they do not contain any THC.
As a broad-spectrum CBD, their focus has been on maximising the entourage effect – a physiological phenomenon wherein the properties of active hemp compounds appear to be more powerful when consumed together rather than by themselves individually – through the preservation of synergy between the plants cannabinoids, terpenoids and flavonoids.
Their products are all derived from organic hemp plants that are grown under the highest agricultural directives in the USA and their products are made in the UK.
Bud & Tender CBD oil is vegan friendly, gluten-free, organic, GMO free, lab tested and is free from THC, CBN & THCV, ensuring you get the purest CBD possible with 0% THC. This is the ideal product for those interested in CBD but worried about THC showing up during drug tests.
Bud & Tender is hands down one of the best broad-spectrum CBD oils on the market! It has excellent pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties, works great to reduce stress and anxiety and will help you drift to sleep more easily at night.
Bud & Tender CBD Review
Bud & Tender CBD has been officially tested and reviewed by the CBD Unboxed team. Products have not been gifted by the brand and as such, this review is 100% independent and based on our personal findings.
The CBD Unboxed Story
I founded CBD Unboxed because I suffer from bilateral femoroacetabular impingement (known as FAI), a painful condition in which extra bone grows on the head of the femur (hip joint), giving the bones an irregular shape.
Because they do not fit together perfectly, the bones rub against each other during movement. Over time this friction can damage the joint, causing pain and resulting in arthritis of the hip joint.
To manage my pain and to avoid relying on traditional painkillers which have known side effects, I turned to more natural products and found CBD to be a godsend. I have been using CBD for the past 3 years and want to share my experience, so you too can experience the health benefits of CBD which are wide ranging – from pain relief and improved sleep, to reduced anxiety and depression. If you want to find out more about how you could benefit from CBD, check out this article on the effects of CBD.
Bud & Tender CBD oil was tested by myself and the rest of the CBD Unboxed team for a period of 2 weeks. Our review of Bud & Tender CBD covers 7 key metrics and at the end of this article we also recommend what we believe to be the best CBD products from Bud & Tender:
- Product Efficacy
- Taste
- Value for Money
- Shipping & Delivery
- Customer Reviews
- Product Range
- Lab Testing
- Product Recommendations
Our Test: Bud & Tender 10% CBD Oil
The test carried out by the CBD Unboxed team focused on Bud & Tender 1000mg CBD oil (10% concentration with organic MCT oil carrier), which contains all the other all-natural hemp extracts such as Cannabidiol (CBD), CBDv (Cannabidivarin), CBG (Cannabigerol), CBC (Cannabichromene) and CBT (Cannabitriol), as well as any of the naturally-occurring terpenes, flavonoids, and Omega acids which can be found in full-spectrum products. As such, it does benefit from the entourage effect. However, it is 100% THC-free.
During the two-week period, we took 20mg of CBD in the morning on an empty stomach, followed by 10mg at lunchtime and a further 10mg an hour before bedtime, giving us a total of 40mg of CBD per day.
Their products are all derived from organic hemp plants that are grown under the highest agricultural directives in the USA and their products are made in the UK.
Bud and Tender CBD oil is vegan friendly, gluten-free, organic, GMO free, lab tested and is free from THC, CBN & THCV, ensuring you get the purest CBD possible with 0% THC. This is the ideal product for those interested in CBD but worried about THC intake and potential issues linked to drug testing.
The characteristics of their 1000mg (10%) CBD oil are detailed below.
| Characteristics | |
| CBD oil | 10% CBD oil |
| CBD type | Broad-spectrum |
| Oil carrier | Organic MCT oil |
| Hemp origin | USA |
| Extraction | CO2 & Ethanol |
| Lab tested? | Yes |
| Laboratories | ACS Laboratory |
| Entourage effect? | Yes |
| Flavour | Unflavoured |
| Cost per day | £1.60 (20mg) |
| Our rating | 9.0 / 10 |
Be aware that results may vary depending on your personal requirements so be sure to check the dosage recommendations before taking any CBD products.
So how well did Bud & Tender broad-spectrum CBD oil perform in our review?
Product Efficacy (10/10)
Excellent CBD Oil for Pain Relief
Bud & Tender CBD oil is an excellent product when it comes to its analgesic (i.e. to relieve pain) and anti-inflammatory properties. This is without a doubt one of the best products on the market. The oil is left under the tongue for 30-60 seconds and absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. It gets to work within 30 minutes and in my case it provided me with incredible pain relief day in and day out throughout the duration of our product test.
By taking 20mg of their 10% CBD oil immediately after a tough workout in the morning (on an empty stomach), an additional 10mg of CBD at lunchtime and 10mg of CBD just before bedtime, I have experienced an incredible reduction of my pain levels. Whilst this is a broad-spectrum CBD oil, this product is up there with the best full-spectrum CBD oils and the best broad-spectrum CBD oils we’ve had a chance to test over the last few years.
Their CBD oil has allowed me to just simply get on with my day without worrying too much about hip pain or discomfort. I’ve been able to remain active throughout the two weeks I’ve taken their CBD oil and even on days where I increased my physical activity, I was able to perform with little to no discomfort. Best of all, I was able to stop taking traditional painkillers, which is a win in my book when you know how bad these can be for you over the long run.
Immediately after I stopped taking their 10% CBD oil at the end of the two-week product test, I noticed that my hip slowly started to be painful and stiff again, especially first thing in the morning and after my daily workout. After two or three days of not taking their CBD oil, the pain and discomfort were back during the day and my sleep was disrupted due to the pain, which clearly shows that their CBD oil just works. Period.
As a final point, it would be interesting to test their higher concentration products, especially Bud & Tender 20% CBD oil and Bud & Tender 40% CBD oil as arthritis of the hip joint is incredibly painful and it would be good to see how higher strength products perform in comparison to their 10% concentration. One for our next review.
Perfect for Anxiety, Stress & Sleep
So how did their CBD perform when it comes to managing anxiety, reducing stress or simply getting a good nigh sleep? Not surprisingly, their CBD performed incredibly well in all those departments.
CBD is known to interact with specific receptors, specifically the CB1R and CB2R. CB1 receptors co-ordinate mood, emotion, appetite, and other functions. While CB2 receptors are responsible for controlling inflammation and pain. CBD stimulates these receptors and induces the body to release serotonin.
Serotonin, or 5-HT, is a neurotransmitter that carries signals from one neuron to the other. CBD increases the level of serotonin, which, in return, helps relieve stress and other medical conditions.
By taking their CBD, I have found that my overall stress levels came down despite having a lot on my mind at the time, and it’s also allowed me to not only fall asleep faster in the evening, but also stay asleep throughout the night. So if insomnia, stress or anxiety are impacting your daily life, I would highly recommend you check out their CBD oils.
Taste (10/10)
Whilst the most popular way to consume CBD is by using CBD tincture (oil), they often have a more earthy, nutty, woody or grass-like taste which is down to the fact the product is natural, safe, and non-toxic.
Taste: Excellent Flavour Profile
After taking Bud & Tender 10% CBD oil for two weeks, it is fair to say that it has one of the best flavour profiles when compared to other CBD brands in our Top 10 and it is actually quite palatable. The first thing we noticed is that their CBD oil is incredibly light, almost translucent, and has a slight hint of green. In our experience, a lighter colour often indicates a more palatable CBD oil and in the case of Bud & Tender, this was definitely the case.
When swallowing the oil after leaving it under the tongue for 30-60 seconds, you will barely get a grass-like taste in your mouth and we’d say that the main flavour that comes through is that of the organic MCT oil, which is actually quite pleasant.
The second positive news when it comes to the taste of their CBD oil is that you will not experience any bitter aftertaste. As soon as you swallow your saliva after leaving the oil under your tongue, the taste of the oil disappears almost instantly!
Now whilst we expect all unflavoured CBD oils to have a strong natural hemp flavour and potentially a bitter aftertaste, we have to admit that Bud & Tender did an amazing job when it comes to the flavour profile of their CBD oil.
This probably explains why, unlike other CBD brands, they have not launched flavoured CBDs as there’s absolutely no need to add flavouring to a product that already tastes great!
Value for Money (7/10)
Whilst we love Bud & Tender 10% CBD oil for its efficacy and its taste, we have to recognise that their CBD oils are a little on the pricey side.
A person between 150 and 240 lbs may need between 20mg and 40mg of CBD per day depending on the severity of their symptoms. A 10ml bottle of their 1000mg CBD oil (retail: £80.00) will therefore last between 25 and 50 days and cost between £1.60 and £3.20 per day (with free shipping), which we think is on the more expensive side, especially when compared to other CBD brands in our Top 10.
Based on 20mg of CBD per day, here’s how the Top 10 CBD brands stack-up in terms of daily cost:
| Strength | Price | Daily Cost | |
| Love Hemp | 10% | £99.99 | £0.66 |
| Medterra | 10% | £99.99 | £0.67 |
| Honest Hemp | 10% | £34.99 | £0.78 |
| Holistic Hemp | 10% | £40.00 | £0.91 |
| Love CBD | 10% | £99.99 | £1.00 |
| Naturecan | 10% | £54.99 | £1.10 |
| Provacan | 12% | £69.95 | £1.25 |
| Hempura | 10% | £64.99 | £1.30 |
| Blessed CBD | 10% | £74.99 | £1.50 |
| Bud & Tender | 10% | £80.00 | £1.60 |
So heavy CBD users will need to place an order every month, whilst mild users may be able to push this to 2 months.
In terms of how it compares to other brands in our Top 10, we think that its definitely one of the most efficient products we’ve tried and the flavour profile of their CBD oil cannot be faulted. So for that reason, we think it is worth spending that little extra on their product, especially if you suffer from a painful condition such as arthritis.
If however you are on a budget, you may want to check out other broad-spectrum CBD oils we’ve tried, tested and reckon you’ll like.
Product Range (7/10)
Whilst Bud & Tender have been in business since 2017, they have only focused on developing broad-spectrum premium CBD oils and have made a conscious effort to stay away for other products such as CBD gummies, CBD capsules or CBD topicals.
To date, Bud & Tender offers 4 different strengths for their CBD oil, which can be purchased in either 10ml or 30ml bottles:
| CBD (mg) | % | CBD / Drop* |
| 500mg | 5% | 1.25mg |
| 1000mg | 10% | 2.5mg |
| 2000mg | 20% | 5mg |
| 4000mg | 40% | 10mg |
*Amount of CBD oil per drop = 0.025ml
Their 500mg CBD oil retails at £45.00 (£0.09 per mg of CBD), their 1000mg oil at £80.00 (£0.08 per mg of CBD) and their 4000mg oil at £252.00 (£0.06 per mg of CBD).
When comparing the price and strength of their CBD oils, going for a higher potency works out cheaper in the long run as a person using 20g of CBD per day will spend £1.80 per day using their 5% CBD oil and £1.26 per day when using their 40% oil, a saving of 30% when going for the higher potency oil.
We love the fact that Bud & Tender have decided to be excellent at one thing rather than chasing more revenue by developing other products, which may provide lower bioavailability.
We would have liked however to see a range of CBD capsules, which would be the preferred choice for those who do not like taking CBD oil sublingually and also offers a more discreet and convenient way of taking CBD especially when travelling or in public.
Shipping & Delivery (10/10)
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 |
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Free UK ShippingOn All UK Orders |
Fast Delivery2-3 Days |
30-Day ReturnUnopened Products |
Lab Testing (10/10)
As a CBD company, Bud & Tender plays the transparency card with their customers and is a member of the British Hemp Alliance, whose aim is to create a thriving domestic hemp industry. As such, they have made a clear commitment to raising the bar of the quality of CBD products available in the UK.
Since many CBD products contain pesticides, herbicides, mould, fungi and dangerous mycotoxins, Bud & Tender are working closely with ACS Laboratory, a leading provider of Cannabis and HEMP/CBD laboratory testing services in Florida, to test all their CBD oils.
In addition to being sourced and extracted from the highest-grade certified organic US hemp, they guarantee that their products are 100% organic and free of synthetic ingredients.
They allow customers to see their Certificates of Analysis online, which break down the potency of cannabinoids, the presence of terpenes and flavonoids, as well as the absence of heavy metals, mycotoxins, pesticides or microbes.
The certificate of analysis for their Broad-Spectrum 10% CBD Oil can be found here.
Farming (US Hemp)
Like most CBD companies, Bud & Tender does not grow its own hemp and relies on hemp farmers who are specialised in CBD and THC producing plants, which unlike fibre hemp plants that are used for the textile industry, need to be planted at wider intervals and harvested by hand, which requires specific farming methods.
Their hemp is sourced from the US and grown under the highest agricultural directives in the country.
Why US hemp?
Hemp requires around 20-30 inches of rainfall during it’s growing season, either from rainfalls or via modern irrigation methods, and whilst the plant is largely unaffected by low temperatures and can even withstand frost down to -5°C, the ideal growing temperatures for good quality hemp are between 19-25°C.
The US is a large producer of hemp with Montana, Colorado, Kentucky, North Carolina and Oregon being the 5 largest producers in the country. These five states are important location for hemp farming as they have the right regulations to grow hemp and the perfect climate.
Outside of the US, Europe is a big producer of hemp with France leading the charge, followed by Italy and the Netherlands.
For all these reasons, it makes the US a great location for Bud & Tender to source their hemp from.
Hemp Preparation & Extraction
Once the plants have been harvested they are stored in a warehouse and left to dry. The dry hemp is then turned into a coarse powder – similar to coffee grounds – through a milling process which follows the strict standards of the hemp farming industry.
At that point, the hemp powder is transferred to the manufacturing and processing facility where it is needs to go through an extraction and purification process in order to remove all unwanted compounds and which produce a high-quality hemp extract which can then be used in oils, capsules, gummies and other CBD products.
Unlike many CBD products available on the market that use hemp produced at an industrial rate under very high temperatures to speed up the extraction process, but which ultimately degrades the quality of the CBD extract, Bud & Tender’s production method are clean and efficient as they use a combined CO2 and ethanol extraction.
Testing
Many products on the market contain pesticides, herbicides, mould, fungi and dangerous mycotoxins and for these reasons, Bud & Tender products go through a rigorous process to ensure they are tested for quality and potency. To do so, they use cutting-edge testing equipment and work with ACS Laboratory, an independent accredited ISO 17025 laboratory based in Florida that offers analytical testing for CBD products. The tests carried out focus on various dimensions to guarantee the quality and safety of each batch.
- Over 200 different pesticides
- Heavy Metals like Arsenic, Lead, or Mercury
- Aflatoxins and Mycotoxins
- Terpenes
- Microbes
Cannabinoids Test: The Cannabinoid test allows Bud & Tender to accurately determinate the concentration of each cannabinoid in their product. This not only helps them ensure that the correct level of CBD is present within the oil (e.g. 10% concentration vs 40%), but it also gives customers full-transparency regarding what other cannabinoids – including CBG, CBC and CBDV – are present. This is critical as these additional cannabinoids can boost the effectiveness of a CBD oil when compared to just CBD alone. This is what is known as the ‘entourage effect’.
On top of looking for the presence of other cannabinoids, Bud & Tender check that there aren’t any illegal cannabinoids present such as THC, CBN or THCV.
Terpenes Test: Terpenes are produced by the cannabis flower in the same way cannabinoids are, and they are responsible for giving CBD oil its individual flavour profile. You are already familiar with them as terpenes are what give a lemon its citrusy smell.
When it comes to CBD oil, not only do terpenes determine the flavour and smell of the oil, but they also work together with cannabinoids to enhance the effectiveness of the CBD oil. So terpenes are also part of the ‘entourage effect’.
The key terpenes found in CBD oil are Myrcene (known to have relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties), Limonene (anti-fungal and antibacterial properties), Pinene (anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties), Linalool (stress-relieving and anti-depressant properties), Caryophyllene (known to reduce anxiety and inflammation) or Humulene (anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties).
Flavonoids Test: Flavonoids are phytonutrients found in the leaves, flowers and trichomes of the cannabis plant. They play a role in the plant pigmentation, taste and smell and along with cannabinoids and terpenes, they bind with cannabinoid receptors to contribute to the ‘entourage effect’.
Heavy Metals Test: Hemp, like every other plant, tends to absorb heavy metals from the soil, water and air. These heavy metals – which include arsenic, mercury, lead or cadmium – can be passed into the cannabis extract if present in the hemp, resulting in the consumer absorbing some of it into their own system. Due to the high toxicity of these heavy metals, human consumption could lead to serious health consequences and this is why Bud & Tender CBD extracts are screened for these heavy metals to ensure their products are safe for human consumption.
Pesticides Test: Whilst pesticides are used in many forms of commercial farming, they are known to cause serious harm to the health of consumers, including cancer and mutation of their DNA, resulting in certain diseases. Whilst Bud & Tender’s hemp is grown organically without the use of pesticides, they test their CBD extracts for 67 different pesticides to ensure their products are clean and safe to consume.
Microbiological Test: To avoid any risk of microbes such as Shiga toxin E. coli, salmonella, or Listeria being present in their CBD extracts, which could lead to serious illnesses and health complications, Bud & Tender CBD products got through microbiological tests to ensure they are microbe free.
Residual Solvents Test: Solvents such as butane and ethanol can be used to extract cannabinoids, terpenoids and flavonoids from the cannabis plant as well as during the filtration process, so it is key for CBD manufacturers to ensure that there are no residual traces of these solvents in their CBD extracts. As Bud & Tender use combined CO2 & ethanol during their extraction and filtration process, it is vital for them to test their CBD extracts for solvents such as ethanol, benzene, propane or methanol which could come from their extraction process or a contaminated soil from nearby farms.
Mycotoxins Test: Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain moulds and fungi which can cause cancer and mutation of your DNA. Seeing as mould can grow on a variety of different crops, including hemp, it is vital for CBD manufacturers to run mycotoxins test on their CBD extracts. Bud & Tender currently tests for the 5 main mycotoxins including Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin B2, Aflatoxin G1, Aflatoxin G2 and Ochratoxin A, to ensure their products are clean and safe to consume.
Customer Reviews
By focusing on a single product line (CBD oil) and the development a high-quality broad spectrum CBD extracts, Bud & Tender has built a great reputation and has a loyal customer base. The company has close to 400 verified reviews on Trustpilot, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5, making it one of the best rated CBD brands in the market. Below are some of their latest customer reviews.
I find this Bud & Tender to be exceptional compared to others and despite the slightly higher investment it is huge value. The taste is also so palatable. Top marks!
This CBD oil is incredible! I just don’t know how Bud & Tender do it – no other CBD oil is anywhere near as effective as this one. After only a few days of taking it as directed, I feel more relaxed, healthy and am sleeping better. 2020 has been a tough year for us all, this oil has helped make it better. Thank you!
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Bud & Tender CBD Review: The Verdict
In terms of how it compares to other brands in our Top 10 CBDs oils, we simply cannot fault Bud & Tender for the quality and efficacy of their CBD oil. We love the fact that despite being a broad-spectrum product, which contains all the terpenes and flavonoids, they’ve managed to create a great tasting oil which does not leave you with a bitter aftertaste.
All in all, we would definitely recommend giving Bud & Tender a go so you can judge by yourself.
Bud & Tender Discount
CBD Unboxed has partnered with Bud & Tender to offer all our readers 10% off their 10ml or 30ml bottles! Simply click here and use code CBDUNBOXED10 at checkout.
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