Merry Meet Charly:
Most spells do not have to be complicated. Mine when I do them are usually very simple. There are those who can make them more complicated and more ritualistic. But I like to keep things as simple as possible. One I can't really screw it up them and two I can remember it easily. *S* here is on ethat I use when I have to and it works well for me. Though as with all spells that are given to you unless it was written specificalkly for you, you should change it a little bit to make it connect to you.
Visualize a large white ( or whatever color is protective to you) bubble surrounding you, Then say these words
Around( insert what you want to protect here )
I place this bubble
To protect from the cause of all trouble
So Mote it be!
As for herbs and charms there are many out there.
I use several different types of stones for protection. Hemitite, obsidian, onyx, amber.
there are also all kinds of herbs. You shoudl see if your library has the Scott Cunningham book Encylopedia of Magical herbs. It is a good one.
I wear an amber pendant for protection and often carry hemitite with me. I have a large strand of it hanging from my rear view mirror. It depends on what you want or need protection from as to what the different things are good for.
Hope I helped out a little bit.
Love and Laughter