With increasing public and scientific interest in herbal medicines, emerging evidence suggests that certain herbal compounds may serve as adjunct therapies to reduce postoperative pain and control inflammation. These interventions have the potential to improve patient experience, reduce healthcare costs, and shorten hospital stays. However, robust clinical evidence remains limited, as most studies are small, preclinical, or animal-based, and data on optimal dosing, timing, long-term safety, pharmacological effects, and drug interactions in surgical patients are insufficient. Some herbal compounds may interact with anesthetics, anticoagulants, antihypertensives, or analgesics, posing potential risks if used without proper guidance. Effective evaluation requires multidisciplinary collaboration among surgeons, anesthesiologists, and clinical pharmacists, as well as education for healthcare teams and patients to enhance knowledge, informed decision-making, and awareness of potential adverse effects. Key research opportunities include randomized controlled trials on postoperative outcomes, pharmacological and toxicological studies to determine mechanisms and safe dosages, drug-herb interaction assessments, and long-term multicenter investigations to evaluate real-world efficacy and safety. Rigorous, evidence-based research is essential to support the safe integration of herbal medicines into perioperative care.