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CalmEssence

Pure Essence
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(26 ratings)
Theanine 150 mg
Ashwagandha 150 mg
Eleuthero 75 mg
Cordyceps 120 mg
Product Image
Score72

A convenient theanine-and-ashwagandha capsule offers gentle breadth, but generic extracts limit predictable depth.

How scoring works
Quantity:30 Vegi-Cap(s) • (30 servings)
Goals:
Stress Relief
Brain Health
Mood Support
Mental Focus
Productivity Boost

Score 72

A convenient theanine-and-ashwagandha capsule offers gentle breadth, but generic extracts limit predictable depth.

How scoring works
$30.99($1.03 per serving)
iHerb
$ 30.99
Vitacost
$ 43.22
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Analysis

L-theanine and ashwagandha are each listed at 150 mg, giving the formula a balanced calm-attention core. Magnolia at 100 mg may add relaxation support.

Cordyceps, eleuthero, schizandra, and rhodiola broaden the adaptogen profile. None shows an active-marker percentage, and several amounts are modest.

One capsule is convenient, but only 30 servings are included. It fits stress relief better than sleep or deep cognitive support because the formula favors gentle breadth over strong individual doses.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking daytime calm
  • Users wanting a one-capsule adaptogen blend
  • People who prefer moderate rather than heavy sedation
Best for
  • Stress-relief routines
  • Calm attention
  • Users testing a broad adaptogen blend

Pros

  • Provides 150 mg L-theanine
  • Includes 150 mg ashwagandha
  • One-capsule serving
  • Concise seven-ingredient formula

Cons

  • Extracts lack standardization
  • Cordyceps, eleuthero, and rhodiola are light
  • Only 30 servings
  • Limited sleep-specific depth

Warnings

  • Magnolia and theanine may cause drowsiness in sensitive users
  • Ashwagandha may affect thyroid-related management
  • Rhodiola and eleuthero may feel stimulating despite the calming emphasis

Nutrient quality

77 High impact

Theanine and a focused adaptogen mix fit calming support well. Missing extract standardization and modest supporting doses keep quality moderate.

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Ingredient transparency

74 High impact

Every listed active has an individual amount and no proprietary blend hides the formula. Extract standardization, complete directions, and inactive ingredients remain unclear.

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Customer satisfaction

66 High impact

The supplied average rating is very strong. The rating base is modest and limits confidence in the average, but no detailed experience evidence was supplied.

.

Value for money

69 High impact

Serving economics are reasonable. Formula limitations keep practical value moderate.

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Report analysis

Goals

Stress Relief
Impact
Highest effect
A- Goal FitB Strength of SupportB+ CoverageB+ Formula Quality
Ashwagandha · 150 mgEleuthero · 75 mgTheanine · 150 mg

L-theanine provides acute calm while ashwagandha, magnolia, rhodiola, eleuthero, and schisandra support stress adaptation. Theanine has good human evidence for relaxed attention, while the botanical evidence is useful but weakened by limited standardization.

L-theanine at 150 mg is well aligned, while ashwagandha is modest and rhodiola and eleuthero are below common focused amounts. All amounts are disclosed, but none of the botanical extracts provides marker percentages, ratios, or branded sourcing.

Study evidence
Ashwagandha Supportive 47 studies
Eleuthero No effect 1 study
Theanine Supportive 16 studies
Brain Health
Impact
High effect
B+ Goal FitC+ Strength of SupportB- CoverageB+ Formula Quality
Ashwagandha · 150 mg

L-theanine and a group of adaptogens support calm focus and mental resilience under stress. Theanine reaches a practical amount, while ashwagandha and rhodiola are more modest.

Most botanical extracts lack marker standardization and branded-source detail. The formula is coherent for calm and stress support but offers little direct memory or synaptic support.

Study evidence
Ashwagandha Supportive 12 studies
Theanine Supportive 17 studies
Mood Support
Impact
High effect
B Goal FitC- Strength of SupportB- CoverageB- Formula Quality
Ashwagandha · 150 mg

L-theanine, ashwagandha, magnolia, rhodiola, and other adaptogens address calm attention and stress response. The breadth is relevant to mood, but most botanical amounts are modest.

L-theanine reaches a useful amount and is fully disclosed. Missing botanical standardization and low adaptogen doses limit confidence in the rest of the formula.

Study evidence
Ashwagandha Supportive 29 studies
Theanine Supportive 12 studies
Mental Focus
Impact
High effect
C+ Goal FitC Strength of SupportC+ CoverageB Formula Quality
Theanine · 150 mg

L-theanine is the clearest focus ingredient and is supplied at a practical amount for calm attention. Ashwagandha, eleuthero, and rhodiola may support stress resilience, but their amounts and extract details are modest.

The formula may fit people whose concentration drops with tension more than those seeking sharper alertness. Exact amounts are disclosed and the short blend is coherent, although it lacks a strong acute or neurotransmitter-focused component.

Study evidence
Ashwagandha Supportive 12 studies
Eleuthero Disputed 3 studies
Theanine Supportive 19 studies
Productivity Boost
Impact
High effect
B- Goal FitD+ Strength of SupportC CoverageB- Formula Quality
Cordyceps · 120 mgCordyceps · 120 mgCordyceps · 120 mgEleuthero · 75 mgEleuthero · 75 mgTheanine · 150 mg

L-theanine supports calm attention, while several adaptogens target stress-related fatigue. The formula aims for steady focus without an overt stimulant.

Theanine is well dosed, but most adaptogens are modest and poorly standardized. The ingredients share a coherent calming purpose, though breadth exceeds demonstrated potency.

Study evidence
Theanine Supportive 5 studies
Cognitive Support
Impact
Moderate effect
C Goal FitD+ Strength of SupportC- CoverageC+ Formula Quality
Ashwagandha · 150 mgTheanine · 150 mg

L-theanine provides a well-aligned dose for calm focus, making it the clearest cognitive asset. Ashwagandha and other adaptogens may also help when stress disrupts concentration.

The remaining botanicals are modestly dosed and lack strong standardization details. The blend therefore fits short-term calm attention better than memory, processing speed, or broad brain support.

Study evidence
Ashwagandha Supportive 17 studies
Eleuthero No effect 1 study
Theanine Supportive 25 studies
Sleep Support
Impact
Moderate effect
C- Goal FitB- Strength of SupportC CoverageF Formula Quality
Theanine · 150 mg

Theanine and ashwagandha support calm and stress resilience, but the formula also includes several daytime adaptogens. Its purpose is general stress management rather than sleep-specific support.

Theanine has a practical amount, while ashwagandha is modest and the remaining botanicals are small. Rhodiola, eleuthero, and cordyceps may feel activating and conflict with bedtime use.

Study evidence
Ashwagandha Supportive 18 studies
Theanine Supportive 8 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
organic Ashwagandha extract
150 mg
L-Theanine
150 mg
Cordyceps extract
120 mg
Magnolia extract
100 mg
Eleuthero extract
75 mg
Schizandra extract
75 mg
Rhodiola extract
50 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Vegan Dairy Free Vegetarian
Report overview
Theanine · 150 mg OverallScore76
B+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyF Value

The explicit L-theanine form and well-aligned amount support a practical daily dose. The label does not verify a branded source, high purity, or independent testing. Cost efficiency is weak for the theanine delivered, and the added botanicals do not qualify for the specified value adjustment.

Ashwagandha · 150 mg OverallScore45
F Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityC+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyF Value

An organic extract is present, but no marker standardization, plant part, branded source, or absorption aid is identified. The transparent 150 mg amount is modest and difficult to align with clinical evidence. A sizable price premium and the multi-ingredient focus limit its value for dedicated ashwagandha use.

Eleuthero · 75 mg OverallScore39
D- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityC- Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyF Value

The label identifies a plain Eleuthero extract but gives no eleutheroside marker or plant-part detail. Its 75 mg amount is clearly disclosed yet falls below the collection's minimum extract-level threshold. That low amount prevents the relatively high serving cost from offering effective value.

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Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Acute and Repeated Ashwagandha Supplementation Improves Markers of Cognitive Function and Mood.
    Leonard M; Dickerson B; Estes L; Gonzalez DE; Jenkins V; Johnson S; Xing D; Yoo C; Ko J; Purpura M; Jäger R; Faries M; Kephart W; Sowinski R; Rasmussen CJ; Kreider RB · Nutrients · 2024
    Randomized trial59 participantsBrain Health Cognitive Support forAshwagandha
  2. Effect of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract with Sominone (Somin-On™) to improve memory in adults with mild cognitive impairment: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
    Rai HP; Mishra DN · Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) · 2025
    Randomized trial40 participantsBrain Health Cognitive Support Mental Focus forAshwagandha
  3. Efficacy of Withania somnifera supplementation on adult's cognition and mood.
    Remenapp A; Coyle K; Orange T; Lynch T; Hooper D; Hooper S; Conway K; Hausenblas HA · Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine · 2022
    Randomized trial60 participantsBrain Health Cognitive Support forAshwagandha
  4. A clinical assessment of the therapeutic effects of Ashwagandha root extract on cognitive performance, sleep, and fatigue in children aged 6-12 years.
    Saxena A; Lopresti A; Sharif M; Elon N; Suri R; Langade DK · Frontiers in nutrition · 2026
    Randomized trial85 participantsBrain Health Mental Focus forAshwagandha
  5. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract on Cognitive Functions in Healthy, Stressed Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
    Gopukumar K; Thanawala S; Somepalli V; Rao TSS; Thamatam VB; Chauhan S · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2022
    Randomized trial130 participantsBrain Health Sleep Support Stress Relief forAshwagandha
  6. Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Hidese S; Ogawa S; Ota M; Ishida I; Yasukawa Z; Ozeki M; Kunugi H · Nutrients · 2020
    Randomized trial30 participantsBrain Health Cognitive Support Sleep Support forTheanine
  7. A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study to Investigate the Efficacy of a Single Dose of AlphaWave® L-Theanine on Stress in a Healthy Adult Population.
    Evans M; McDonald AC; Xiong L; Crowley DC; Guthrie N · Neurology and therapy · 2021
    Randomized trialBrain Health Stress Relief forTheanine
  8. Effects of Tea (Camellia sinensis) or its Bioactive Compounds l-Theanine or l-Theanine plus Caffeine on Cognition, Sleep, and Mood in Healthy Participants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
    Payne ER; Aceves-Martins M; Dubost J; Greyling A; de Roos B · Nutrition reviews · 2025
    Meta-analysis50 studies pooledBrain Health Cognitive Support Mental Focus forTheanine
  9. Assessing the effects of caffeine and theanine on the maintenance of vigilance during a sustained attention task.
    Foxe JJ; Morie KP; Laud PJ; Rowson MJ; de Bruin EA; Kelly SP · Neuropharmacology · 2012
    Randomized trial27 participantsBrain Health Cognitive Support forTheanine
  10. Effects of l-Theanine on Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Subjects: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study.
    Baba Y; Inagaki S; Nakagawa S; Kaneko T; Kobayashi M; Takihara T · Journal of medicinal food · 2021
    Randomized trialBrain Health Mental Focus Productivity Boost forTheanine
  11. A standardized Ashwagandha root extract alleviates stress, anxiety, and improves quality of life in healthy adults by modulating stress hormones: Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
    Majeed M; Nagabhushanam K; Mundkur L · Medicine · 2023
    Randomized trial54 participantsCognitive Support Mental Focus forAshwagandha
  12. Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in children and adolescents with mild attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
    Naik S; Muralidhar G; Rao BS; Agarwal S; Jain M · Journal of medicine and life · 2026
    Randomized trial58 participantsCognitive Support Mental Focus forAshwagandha
  13. No benefit adding eleutherococcus senticosus to stress management training in stress-related fatigue/weakness, impaired work or concentration, a randomized controlled study.
    Schaffler K; Wolf OT; Burkart M · Pharmacopsychiatry · 2014
    Randomized trial144 participantsCognitive Support Mental Focus Stress Relief forEleuthero
  14. Dose-response effect of L-theanine on psychomotor speed, sustained attention, and inhibitory control: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.
    Dassanayake TL; Wijesundara D; Kahathuduwa CN; Weerasinghe VS · Nutritional neuroscience · 2023
    Randomized trial32 participantsCognitive Support forTheanine
  15. Acute effects of theanine, caffeine and theanine-caffeine combination on attention.
    Kahathuduwa CN; Dassanayake TL; Amarakoon AMT; Weerasinghe VS · Nutritional neuroscience · 2018
    Clinical trial20 participantsCognitive Support Mental Focus forTheanine
  16. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions.
    Choudhary D; Bhattacharyya S; Bose S · Journal of dietary supplements · 2018
    Randomized trial50 participantsMental Focus forAshwagandha
  17. Evidence-based efficacy of adaptogens in fatigue, and molecular mechanisms related to their stress-protective activity.
    Panossian A; Wikman G · Current clinical pharmacology · 2009
    Narrative reviewMental Focus forEleuthero
  18. Stimulating effect of adaptogens: an overview with particular reference to their efficacy following single dose administration.
    Panossian A; Wagner H · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2005
    Narrative reviewMental Focus forEleuthero
  19. Safety and Efficacy of AlphaWave® L-Theanine Supplementation for 28 Days in Healthy Adults with Moderate Stress: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
    Moulin M; Crowley DC; Xiong L; Guthrie N; Lewis ED · Neurology and therapy · 2024
    Randomized trial30 participantsMental Focus Productivity Boost Stress Relief forTheanine
  20. Effect of L-theanine on selective attention in a traffic-related reaction task in sleep-deprived young adults: a double-blind placebo-controlled, crossover study.
    Karunaratne UW; Dassanayake TL · Nutritional neuroscience · 2025
    Randomized trial24 participantsMental Focus forTheanine
  21. A proprietary herbal extract of ashwagandha root for stress and anxiety in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, placebo-controlled efficacy and safety study.
    West RE; Biswas A; Rao R; Tayade H; Ademola J · Journal of medicine and life · 2026
    Randomized trial141 participantsMood Support forAshwagandha
  22. Safety and efficacy of Withania somnifera for anxiety and insomnia: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Fatima K; Malik J; Muskan F; Raza G; Waseem A; Shahid H; Jaffery SF; Khan U; Zaheer MK; Shaikh Y; Rashid AM · Human psychopharmacology · 2024
    Meta-analysis254 participants5 studies pooledMood Support forAshwagandha
  23. A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults.
    Chandrasekhar K; Kapoor J; Anishetty S · Indian journal of psychological medicine · 2013
    Randomized trial64 participantsMood Support Stress Relief forAshwagandha
  24. Effects of multi-herb and ashwagandha root formulas on stress modulation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.
    McKinney E; Stewart J; Kewalramani R; Singh S · Trials · 2026
    Randomized trial186 participantsMood Support forAshwagandha
  25. Medicinal herbs for the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.
    Zhang W; Yan Y; Wu Y; Yang H; Zhu P; Yan F; Zhao R; Tian P; Wang T; Fan Q; Su Z · Pharmacological research · 2022
    Meta-analysis29 participants29 studies pooledMood Support forAshwagandha
  26. l-theanine adjunct to sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
    Shamabadi A; Kafi F; Arab Bafrani M; Asadigandomani H; A Basti F; Akhondzadeh S · Journal of affective disorders · 2023
    Randomized trial60 participantsMood Support forTheanine
  27. L-theanine relieves positive, activation, and anxiety symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-center study.
    Ritsner MS; Miodownik C; Ratner Y; Shleifer T; Mar M; Pintov L; Lerner V · The Journal of clinical psychiatry · 2011
    Randomized trial60 participantsMood Support Stress Relief forTheanine
  28. The Effects of Green Tea Amino Acid L-Theanine Consumption on the Ability to Manage Stress and Anxiety Levels: a Systematic Review.
    Williams JL; Everett JM; D'Cunha NM; Sergi D; Georgousopoulou EN; Keegan RJ; McKune AJ; Mellor DD; Anstice N; Naumovski N · Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands) · 2020
    Systematic review9 studies pooledMood Support forTheanine
  29. Comparison of the effects of two amino acids, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and L-theanine, on sedation, anxiety, and cognition in preoperative surgical patients - A randomized controlled study.
    Deshpande SS; Kurdi M; Baiju A; Athira AS; Sarasamma AG; Gangadharan AK · Journal of anaesthesiology, clinical pharmacology · 2025
    Randomized trial168 participantsMood Support Stress Relief forTheanine
  30. Anti-stress effect of theanine on students during pharmacy practice: positive correlation among salivary α-amylase activity, trait anxiety and subjective stress.
    Unno K; Tanida N; Ishii N; Yamamoto H; Iguchi K; Hoshino M; Takeda A; Ozawa H; Ohkubo T; Juneja LR; Yamada H · Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior · 2014
    Randomized trial20 participantsMood Support forTheanine
  31. Cognitive and affective effects of L-Theanine: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 31 randomized trials.
    Gerolymos C; Saddier E; Boyer L; Fond G · Molecular psychiatry · 2026
    Meta-analysis1,168 participants31 studies pooledProductivity Boost forTheanine
  32. Effects of L-theanine on cognition, mood and sleep: evidence from human trials.
    Cotter J; Kilpatrick HE · Frontiers in nutrition · 2026
    Narrative reviewProductivity Boost forTheanine
  33. Time for tea: mood, blood pressure and cognitive performance effects of caffeine and theanine administered alone and together.
    Rogers PJ; Smith JE; Heatherley SV; Pleydell-Pearce CW · Psychopharmacology · 2008
    Randomized trial48 participantsProductivity Boost forTheanine
  34. A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study to evaluate the effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep quality in healthy adults.
    Deshpande A; Irani N; Balkrishnan R; Benny IR · Sleep medicine · 2021
    Randomized trial150 participantsSleep Support forAshwagandha
  35. Efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha root extract sustained-release (AshwaSR) capsules in healthy adult, stressed subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, 3-arm clinical trial.
    Thanawala S; Shah R; Alluri KV; Bhupathiraju K; Desomayanandanam P; Bhuvenendran A · Medicine · 2026
    Randomized trial135 participantsSleep Support forAshwagandha
  36. Clinical evaluation of the pharmacological impact of ashwagandha root extract on sleep in healthy volunteers and insomnia patients: A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study.
    Langade D; Thakare V; Kanchi S; Kelgane S · Journal of ethnopharmacology · 2021
    Randomized trial80 participantsSleep Support forAshwagandha
  37. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Insomnia and Anxiety: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study.
    Langade D; Kanchi S; Salve J; Debnath K; Ambegaokar D · Cureus · 2020
    Randomized trial60 participantsSleep Support forAshwagandha
  38. Comparison Between Efficacy of Oral Melatonin and Oral L-theanine in Improving Sleep in Cancer Patients Suffering From Insomnia: A Randomised Double-blinded Placebo-controlled Study.
    Kurdi MS; As A; Ladhad DA; Mitragotri MV; Baiju A · Indian journal of palliative care · 2024
    Randomized trial120 participantsSleep Support forTheanine
  39. The effects of L-theanine consumption on sleep outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Bulman A; D'Cunha NM; Marx W; Turner M; McKune A; Naumovski N · Sleep medicine reviews · 2025
    Meta-analysis897 participants19 studies pooledSleep Support forTheanine
  40. In Search of a Safe Natural Sleep Aid.
    Rao TP; Ozeki M; Juneja LR · Journal of the American College of Nutrition · 2016
    Narrative reviewSleep Support forTheanine
  41. L-theanine in the adjunctive treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.
    Sarris J; Byrne GJ; Cribb L; Oliver G; Murphy J; Macdonald P; Nazareth S; Karamacoska D; Galea S; Short A; Ee C; Birling Y; Menon R; Ng CH · Journal of psychiatric research · 2020
    Randomized trial46 participantsSleep Support forTheanine
  42. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
    Lopresti AL; Smith SJ; Malvi H; Kodgule R · Medicine · 2019
    Randomized trial60 participantsStress Relief forAshwagandha
  43. Shoden promotes Relief from stress and anxiety: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on healthy subjects with high stress levels.
    Mishra DN; Kumar M · Heliyon · 2024
    Randomized trial60 participantsStress Relief forAshwagandha
  44. Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study.
    Salve J; Pate S; Debnath K; Langade D · Cureus · 2020
    Randomized trial60 participantsStress Relief forAshwagandha
  45. Anti-Stress, Behavioural and Magnetoencephalography Effects of an L-Theanine-Based Nutrient Drink: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial.
    White DJ; de Klerk S; Woods W; Gondalia S; Noonan C; Scholey AB · Nutrients · 2016
    Randomized trial34 participantsStress Relief forTheanine