There once was a spell component collection rules list. Dragon magazine.

Magic components could not be collected with magic or having used magic to kill the creature. Spells would contaminate the components.

Some plant components could only be collected at special times or under special conditions like under the moonlight or only on high holy days(summer solstice)

Make up a list of general rules like that and half a wizards time could be spent collecting components. Or  an alchemist or herbalist.
Components could be a very good way for parties to make some good cash.
And they make for great side missions at any time. You do not even have to have all of the party on the mission.

Quote from AEDorsay >>

Oh my, lol.

so you have alchemists. Do you have lapidaries for them? The books, not the people (though that might be too weird a truth for today). Because…

Flowers and gemstones had significant properties. Middle Ages lapidaries documented these, and then some Victorian folks went even more wild, so if you can find a good list from a while back, it can help. A google search will get you a bunch of answers from sellers of such, but few will match with others.

flowers are both a messaging system and also a companion to herblore, so they can have significant meaning.

there is a book, Encyclopedia of  Occultism, by Lewis Spence, public domain these days so you should be able to find it, has a tone of useful lore from our world that informs a lot of why certain spell components were used (at least, in 1e. Since I don’t use them, I haven’t looked for years).

another is Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Try to get an older copy, because the newer ones have dropped several of the kennings and other bits in order to stay abreast of modern trends.

good luck with this!

 Thanks. I tend to avoid the whole "crystals are magic and can heal you trust me" type of magic, but it would definitely be worth looking into. For example, I plan to make the components for a couple of healing spells be a quartz stone.

Thanks for the references. I like the idea of taking old pseudoscientific theories and making them part of the world.

Quote from TheGnome5786 >>

There once was a spell component collection rules list. Dragon magazine.

Magic components could not be collected with magic or having used magic to kill the creature. Spells would contaminate the components.

Some plant components could only be collected at special times or under special conditions like under the moonlight or only on high holy days(summer solstice)

Make up a list of general rules like that and half a wizards time could be spent collecting components. Or  an alchemist or herbalist.
Components could be a very good way for parties to make some good cash.
And they make for great side missions at any time. You do not even have to have all of the party on the mission.

 Good idea. I'm trying to make sure magic doesn't overshadow martial prowess, but the idea would be great for a more magic-heavy setting or system.

Quote from TheGnome5786 >>

There once was a spell component collection rules list. Dragon magazine.

Magic components could not be collected with magic or having used magic to kill the creature. Spells would contaminate the components.

Some plant components could only be collected at special times or under special conditions like under the moonlight or only on high holy days(summer solstice)

Make up a list of general rules like that and half a wizards time could be spent collecting components. Or  an alchemist or herbalist.
Components could be a very good way for parties to make some good cash.
And they make for great side missions at any time. You do not even have to have all of the party on the mission.

I remember that article! It was really good! To The Google!!!

Dragon Magazine Issue #81 (January, 1984) had a list of material components. The article was: "Living in a Material World" . Update: https://annarchive.com/files/Drmg081.pdf

Dragon Magazine #147 (July, 1989) had an article that suggested alternate components. The article was: "Variety, the spice of magic". Update: https://annarchive.com/files/Drmg147.pdf

and a bonus: https://the-eye.eu/public/Books/rpg.rem.uz/Dungeons & Dragons/Magazines/Dragon/Dragon Magazine - 317.pdf