When i look for advice on herbalism there is a tiny page in the Wiccan bible which always helps a lot it has always proven correct so i am only wondering how specific herbs can do all this stuff. I know the science part of it just not a lot about the magic.
I personally feel that a good way to understand and tap into the magical energies flowing through herbs is to first study and understand the herbs themselves.
For example, every herb has it's own flavor, scent, texture, and growing habits. These qualities can actually help you determine the magical properties that a certain herb might have.
Let's talk about garlic as an example. Garlic is a very versatile herb. I've found that it grows well in both sun and shade. It is a very spicy and hot herb, therefore, it is associated with both the element of fire and the plant Mars.
In magic garlic is used as protection against the evil eye, protection against evil malevolent spirits and other negative forces and energies. It can also be used in sells for healing and banishing.
Ginger is spicy with hints of sweetness. It can be used in spells for protection, love, passion, etc.
Chamomile has a sweet and soothing flavor/scent with small hints of citrus, and is often used in spells for sleep or to promote relaxation.
If you have the time and wish to do so, studying your herbs can tell you their magical uses by their flavor, texture, scent, and growing habits. Working with them in such a way is a wonderful method of getting to better know and understand them and what they can be used for.
I can also mail you several good books that list magical associations of herbs, if you would like.
After rereading this I realize I might have misread your question, FrostSeeker, or not quite answered it properly I should say.
Herbs, crystals, etc all have natural energy/qualities in them that can be used for certain spells. Magic, essentially, is energy in the world around us that we tap into when we cast spells, perform rituals, etc. That being said, certain things in nature (like herbs) have energies in them that can be tapped into and utilized to strengthen our works of magic. The qualities that the herb has can help determine what it is best used for. That is what I was originally trying to say, but I think I might have taken the long way around while doing so.
