Perceptions of Nurses on the Use of Herbal Medicine Among Patients Admitted to Medical Wards in Gombe State Specialist Hospital

Background: The concurrent use of herbal remedies alongside orthodox medicines is common in Nigerian clinical settings and poses risks of herb-drug interactions and delayed care-seeking. Nurses are often the first to detect such use. Aim: This study examined nurses' perceptions of herbal medicine use among patients admitted to medical wards at Gombe State Specialist Hospital, North East Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted. Ninety-five registered nurses were recruited through total enumeration. A structured questionnaire assessed perceptions, experiences of herb-drug interactions, and practice of patient disclosure inquiry. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26. Results: Eighty-two percent of nurses reported encountering patients using herbal preparations alongside prescribed medications. Only 35% routinely inquired about herbal use during patient assessments. Perceived barriers included patient reluctance to disclose, lack of training on herbal pharmacology, and insufficient time during ward rounds. Conclusion: Herbal medicine use is prevalent yet inadequately assessed in Nigerian medical wards. Nursing curricula should incorporate complementary medicine content, and hospitals should embed structured herbal medicine inquiry into standard assessment tools and care pathways. Keywords: herbal medicine, nurse perceptions, herb-drug interactions, Gombe, complementary medicine.