While the amount of herbal lore that you will find in almost any knowledgeable herb store or book on the Craft is long and exhausting, it was an old gypsy woman who taught me how to properly use herbs in my magic. When you are going to use herbs as an incense or for smudging purposes, it is improper to simply toss the herb on the hot charcoal and let things be. I was taught that, in a very real way where magic is concerned, that everything is alive. For herbs, using them in incense is a realization of their "give away" time; a time when a being gives of itself as a gift. As such, we try to honor this gift by thanking the herb. It's also necessary to connect with the herb to fully activate its magickal properties.
Take the herb in your hand for a moment. Close your eyes and try to connect with its energy. Picture its smoke rising around you, filling the air with the properties you associate with it. Visualize this as fully as possible. As you hold the herb, recognize how it feels in your hand. Is it leafy and dry like yerba senta? A soft mossy feeling like mugwort? Does the herb feel like tiny stones, such as copal? Or have you ground a resin to a soft powder? Smell its fragrance, not deeply or too close as you don't want to inhale the herb, but close enough that you can experience its aroma. As you place it on the charcoal, say, "Thank you," or thank it for the gift of its magic. For instance, in the case of dragonsblood, you could say, "I release the power of protection into the Circle around me, and I thank you for your gift, dragonsblood."
Try this method next time you use herbs in your magic. I bet you'll be surprised by the difference a little "thank you" can make.
Note: Herbs in Sylvan Witchcraft are used for their magical, rather than medicinal properties. Much of the Sylvan Tradition revolves around slowing down and truly experiencing life, as well as reconnecting with the flow of magic around you. As you observe the wholeness of life, you'll start to make connections to simple everyday things. For instance, you'll notice that before the onset of a cold, you find yourself craving a certain fruit or vegetable. This is your body's way of letting you know that your immune system is starting to weaken and that it needs a specific nutrient to help it fight off the oncoming illness. Through a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise, I've managed to improve my level of health considerably over the last few years. While I do occasionally use herbs for medicinal purposes (such as Echinecia and Goldenseal Root to ward off an oncoming cold), the vast majority of my herb lore revolves around the magical properties of herbs.