Wimbledon’s Leggy Blond Catfight!

And it was awesome! Long, slender bodies, taut limbs stretching, racing across a treaded, lined lawn. Lip gloss, eyeliner and even wet t-shirts! Shouts of anxious passion and competing exertions, sweat bands soaked. Tennis, not football, is now ‘the beautiful (and sexy) game’. With power and precision they battered each other, up and down the court. A blond bomb battle. Girls in short skirts going for the eyes and the baseline, in cunning tactical assaults. They stepped up, the girls really stepped it up.  “That’s shockingly good” said McEnroe… and he really should know.

I was not sure what to expect from the ‘leftie’, but she impressed. In her first ever ‘Grand Slam’ final, on The Centre Court of the most respected and lauded lawn tennis club- trying to win membership amongst the elite of champions, we could see what makes a champion. It is all about belief unclouded by doubt, unchallenged by fear. Clearly, it’s how the pressure is managed that answers the whispered question: can you do it? So many favorites fall at the last hurdle as they pause to whisper back: I’m not sure. So tighten up, slow it down, with leaded feet, breath held, you are distracted even by silence. You stare back at the headlights and you are frozen.

Pressure: it’s how you handle it that makes you a winner. So why not let nature fill in the gaps in your psychological profile, and try some anxiety reducing herbs!

·         Valerian

Valerian extract can be used as a treatment for both general anxiety and panic attacks, as well as insomnia.

·         Kava

Kava is also used for treating anxiety by quickly calming the nervous system and creating feelings of euphoria. The herb also acts as a sedative and muscle relaxant, and so is useful for the treatment of tension and insomnia.

·         Chamomile

Chamomile is a beneficial in alleviating nervous tension, insomnia and gastrointestinal problems.

·         Passionflower

Passionflower has been used in traditional herbal medicine to treat anxiety, calming the nerves, and letting you get a good night’s sleep.

·         Ginseng

This herb improves your mood, memory and attention, as well as lengthening physical and mental endurance, and easing anxiety. 

·         Yerba mate 

This herb has the effect of stimulating the mind, increasing concentration and easing depressive moods.

In any sporting success, but particularly where you stand and face your adversary alone, bravery is key, and a little arrogance is also helpful. Kvitova? A new champion is born, or self-made. “Pressure is a privilege” she says. Gotta memba dat. So take some herbs to still the nerves and ace your way to greatness.

See the crew at Legassi Gardens:

www.legassigardens.com

skype us: legassigardens

AFRICAN HERBS FOR WINNING WIMBLEDON!

Yes, Wimbledon fever is here again- ok, more like a mild temperature amidst the chilled strawberries and champagne- but it’s here again anyway. No Henman, no WILLIAMS SISTERS  and now NO FEDERER (we really are in the ‘last days’). But there are some interesting contenders…whose names send my spell 

checker into a frenzy, so let’s just stick to the ‘big, pronounceable names’ –Nadal, Murray…ok.

Thrill to the seismic force of the serves; gulp and gasp as rapid-fire balls find remote pinpoints barely caught by the naked eye; surge forward in unrestrained roars of sheer delight, and share in a moment of collective live- telecast ecstasy: no Murray hasn’t won it yet, but that last rally was awesome.

It’s great to admire, to even feel some shock and awe at all that brilliance. But what we ordinary folk need to know is: how do they do it? Is it really all just training, practice, $10,000 sports shoes, and hand-made $30,000 fibre-glass rackets? There’s got to be something more, something they might be taking even…?

Without suggesting for one minute that their achievements are chemically assisted, (they just look super-human from here) it might still be fair to say that they are adding to what nature gave them. And what better way to do this than by trying a few African herbs.

For a start, like::

• 1.    Coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, that’s right. This 'oxymoronically' well-loved but grossly abused ancient African herb is indigenous to Ethiopia, and is fantastic for improving your physical performance. When you drink a small amount of coffee WITHOUT SUGAR before exercise, your body releases fat into the bloodstream which is then used to fuel your exertions, making you burn up fat, conserve carbohydrates and endure longer. Great for those 5 setters at Wimbledon!
• 2.      Kola nut. This under-rated stimulant, native to the tropical rainforests of Africa, but now found in almost any market place across Africa, has similar effects to caffeine, but mega-dosed! Use this if you don’t plan on an early night.  Chew the pink/white bitter nut, swallow the juice, then spit out the balance, if you need to keep your concentration and physical endurance levels high for that early match, first out on Centre Court... Preferably, all spitting should be in private and over with before you get on court.
• 3.      Aloe vera. This is believed to have originated in the Sudan and has justifiably attained ‘wonderplant’ status. The shockingly bitter and deceptively clear gel that comes from the centre of the leaf quickens the healing process, which is essential for the successful, intensely competitive sportsperson. What ‘No number 1’ wants to be ‘out injured’ while their rivals’ success knocks them off their throne? Or worse still, while a herd of unpronounceably-named newcomers rush the party…in last year’s fashions?
• 4.      Devil's claw, originating from the Kalahari and the Savannah desert, helps the champions push through the pain to yet another record-breaking victory, and heals inflammation (as well as arthritis).
• 5.      Myrrh, of North African origin, is a good natural herbal remedy for inflammation, and can help the No.1 keep fighting to the glorious end.

So, there we have it! Don’t just sit and wonder about how those Tennis stars reach and keep those stunning levels of skill and endurance. You too can go out, get some African herbs and gain an added edge over the competition.
And you won’t even get ‘done’ for it.

See the crew at Legassi Gardens:

www.legassigardens.com

skype us: legassigardens