Vitamin C, touted by moms and health food advocates as a cure-all for the common cold, has more than a solitary role in the health and wellness of your body and household. Vitamin C is by far the most recognized most widely available vitamin and fresh fruits, and is easily found in nearly every supermarket, pharmacy, and superstore like Costco or Wal-Mart.

What you may not realize however is that beyond its germ fighting and immune boosting qualities, vitamin C can be used in the fight against heart disease, muscle fatigue, and insect bites.

How Does Vitamin C Help against Heart Disease?

Dr. Matthias Rath wrote a short book that is widely available on the Internet, entitled, "The Heart Book". In it he describes the role and function of cholesterol and plugging holes in our arteries. He suggests that our bodies produce cholesterol in order to fix weak arterial walls created by a lack of vitamin C.

The cholesterol acts as glue or mortar to plug the gaps, but until our bodies have access to the proper nutrition to heal itself, the cholesterol production will increase along with the risk for a heart attack.

Dr. Linus Pauling, before his death worked side by side with Dr. Rath, and found numerous applications for vitamin C. One of the most controversial uses and applications was his premise that vitamin C could actually kill the cancer cells without harming the healthy cells surrounding them.

How About Muscle Fatigue?

Vitamin C has made itself a home among bodybuilders and sports enthusiasts as a preventative for sore muscles after a workout. When muscles are exercised and stretched, lactic acid is produced, which then crystallizes and causes the stiff and sore arms and legs associated with a great workout.

By taking 1000 mg of vitamin C after your workout, it may be possible to alleviate or eliminate the usual pain the day after that big weekend ride or hike, and the effects suffered at the gym.

What's so Great about Vitamin C and Insect Bites?

Vitamin C is recognized as a natural antihistamine. Antihistamines are the substances that cause much of the itching after being bitten by a mosquito or spider, and from pollens and other allergens. When bitten by a mosquito or spider, try making a paste from a little ascorbic acid and a few drops of water, and apply the paste your bites. Although it may seem a little at first the itching and swelling often start to subside immediately.

Besides being used externally, when bitten or stung by a bee, wasp, spider, aunt or other insect pests, vitamin C might find its way to becoming your first-aid miracle. You are stung by a bee or wasp, try this little home remedy.

(This is in no way claim that vitamin c, Benadryl, or tea tree oil will cure or treat anything, nor should it be construed as a prescription, so follow label instructions and your physicians advice.)

Apply a few drops of tea tree oil to the Sting, then take an age and weight appropriate dose of Benadryl, and at least 1000 mg of vitamin C. The pain will abate, and the swelling will go way down, and you might not even notice the Sting the rest of the day.

Next time you're at the store, try picking up a bottle of vitamin C crystals. With quite possibly thousands of uses, some of which might not yet even have been discovered, you could find more than just 3 ways vitamin C might change your life.