Natural Recovery with High-Strength CBD
When I was asked to try BUDS BALM, I was drawn by its simple promise: a clean, powerful recovery balm. Made with 1,000 mg of CBD and 100% natural, vegan ingredients, it’s formulated with cocoa butter, coconut oil, candelilla wax, peppermint, and vitamin E, all blended to nourish the skin while providing a cooling, soothing sensation during massage.
I’ve never come across or tried any products with CBD so I spent time doing some research on this product.
What is CBD?
Wikipedia says:
“CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound from the cannabis plant that does not cause a “high”. Unlike THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, CBD is legal in the UK and is believed by users to have properties that can help with pain, anxiety, and other issues. It is available in many forms, such as oils, food products, and supplements.”
Unlike oral CBD, this balm is topical, so it doesn’t enter the bloodstream or cause any psychoactive effects. BUDS BALM is also lab-tested for purity and strength, aiming to give runners, cyclists, and anyone training hard an easy, natural way to target post-exercise aches.
Certificate of Analysis
BUDS BALM includes its Certificate of Analysis (COA) within the product images on its website, a reassuring touch that shows transparency and confidence in what’s inside. A COA is an independent lab report verifying the balm’s CBD concentration, confirming THC levels are within legal limits, and checking for contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, or solvents. It’s a small but significant detail that gives us peace of mind that the product contains exactly what it claims.
I wasn’t sure what exactly 1000mg of CBD meant; how did that equate to what is actually applied to the skin? Tommy, the founder, told me:
“Our 1000mg formula means the whole tube has 1000mg of CBD goodness inside. A pea-sized dab is about 10–12mg. Once a day is great for everyday recovery, and you can use it more often if something’s really nagging. It works best when you keep at it; think of it like topping up your body’s little CBD battery. But do remember, it’s not just CBD in this. It’s a great, natural formula of other individual active ingredients that have been engineered together to support your recovery. I personally use it as a bedtime ritual and carry it with me in my gym bag or rucksack for any time I have soreness.”
Performance
I began using BUDS BALM while ramping up my training again, all my muscles have been moaning as I reintroduce them to the concept of running regularly again. From the first use, I loved the texture and consistency. It spreads smoothly, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t leave that waxy film some balms do. The smell is light and refreshing, with peppermint giving a subtle cooling tingle and it moisturises my skin beautifully.
What really impressed me was how well it worked on my arm tendonitis. After struggling with pain in the elbow and along my forearm for months, I started applying BUDS BALM in the evenings before bed, gently massaging it into the tendon. Over a few weeks, the discomfort eased and eventually disappeared altogether. I now need to build up strength in the arm, but the relief is huge that the constant pain is gone.
I also have mild arthritis in my hands and knees, making BUDS BALM a ritual after a bath or shower has definitely had an impact on those areas too.
While it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how much of that relief was due to the CBD itself, versus the massage and heat, the combination clearly worked.
CBD is known to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates pain and inflammation, and topical use is ideal for targeting specific areas. Say what? I hear you say. I know, it’s a lot to take in. Put simply, your endocannabinoid system is your body’s own natural “balancing network”, constantly adjusting things like pain, stress, mood, and inflammation. CBD doesn’t override it; it simply helps the system function more smoothly, allowing your body to do what it’s designed to do; recover and rebalance.
I have started using it regularly post-run, particularly after long (it’s all relative!) sessions when my quads and calves need a bit of extra care. Applied after a warm bath, BUDS BALM is really soothing and warming.
Pros
- High-strength 1,000 mg CBD formula
- Natural, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredients
- Smooth, fast-absorbing texture with no greasy residue
- Feels great on my skin and moisturises it too
- Pleasant scent
- Effective pain relief for both muscle soreness and tendonitis
- Non-psychoactive and gentle on skin
- Easy to use daily as part of recovery or maintenance
Cons
- Relief takes consistent use rather than instant results.
- Premium price point compared to basic muscle rubs (though justified by quality).
- Topical products can only reach superficial tissues, so they may not work for deeper joint pain.
The story behind BUDS BALM is one of remarkable resilience and determination. Tommy’s journey began in the aftermath of two major road accidents that left him with life-altering injuries, including multiple spinal fractures, a snapped femur, and a partial knee replacement. The long road to rehabilitation was filled with discomfort, sleepless nights, and emotional recovery. While traditional treatments offered limited relief, discovering CBD-infused products became a turning point. The calming and restorative effects of CBD helped ease physical tension and bring some much-needed rest, but many commercially available products were packed with synthetic ingredients that caused unwanted side effects.
That experience sparked the creation of BUDS BALM, a truly natural, effective, and easy-to-use solution designed for everyday recovery. What began as a personal formula for pain relief and balance has evolved into a mission to help others feel more in control of their own recovery.
Conclusion
BUDS BALM is one of the few products I’ve tested that genuinely earns its recovery claims. The balance of high CBD content and natural ingredients creates a balm that’s not only pleasant to use but also highly effective and leaves my skin feeling great. Having read up on CBD, I have no concerns about using it on my body.
It’s now a regular part of my daily routine; I apply it to quads after training, and my hands and knees generally and it leaves my skin soft, my muscles relaxed, and soreness is noticeably reduced. The improvement in my tendonitis has been the strongest proof of its value: after months of discomfort, consistent use finally brought lasting relief.
While it’s not a miracle cure, BUDS BALM stands out for me as a luxurious yet functional recovery aid that delivers what it promises. If you’re pushing your body through training blocks and want a natural, targeted way to ease soreness, this balm deserves a permanent place in your kit bag.
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About the author:
Kate Allen is the owner and Editor of RunUltra and a Mountain Leader. In her spare time she can be found either running with her dog Mac around the hills of Yorkshire and Lake District or on her motorbike exploring trails of a different nature with her partner.
