# American Society of Hirudotherapy (ASH)

> Independent, non-profit medical-information resource on hirudotherapy
> (medicinal-leech therapy) and its evidence base. ASH publishes a
> PMID-verified research library, structured clinical-evidence and safety
> references, and regulatory/governance documentation. ASH is an information
> and infrastructure organization — it does NOT provide treatment, and nothing
> on the site is medical advice.

## Scope & authority
- Hirudo medicinalis is FDA-cleared (510(k) K040187, June 2004) as a medical
  device for specific post-surgical indications (e.g. venous congestion in
  flaps/replants). "FDA-cleared" is not "FDA-approved", and most discussed uses
  are off-label or investigational. Pages label evidence level and claim
  boundaries explicitly.
- Citations are verified against PubMed/NCBI where a PMID exists; citation
  integrity status is shown per source.
- Clinical detail is audience-gated: patient-facing summaries vs.
  clinician-facing protocol detail.

## Primary references
- [Research library (10,051 PMID-verified articles)](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/research): searchable evidence corpus; each article carries its PubMed abstract, publication type, and MeSH terms.
- [Clinical evidence](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/clinical-evidence): evidence syntheses by indication.
- [Safety protocols](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/safety-protocols): Aeromonas management, adverse-event atlas, infection control.
- [What is hirudotherapy](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/what-is-hirudotherapy): plain-language overview.
- [Science & pharmacology](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/science): hemostasis, salivary complex, anticoagulant pharmacology.
- [Leech biology](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/leech-biology): species, salivary proteome.

## Structured registries (atlas)
- [Atlas hub](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/atlas): unified entry to all registries.
- [Conditions (199)](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/conditions): indication evidence tiers.
- [Compounds (201)](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/compounds): leech-derived/related bioactive molecules.
- [Randomized controlled trials (169)](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/rcts): trial registry.
- [Biographies](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/biographies) · [Jurisdictions](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/jurisdictions)

## Trust, governance & methodology
- [Methodology](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/about/methodology): how content is sourced, reviewed, and bounded.
- [Citation verification](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/funds/citation-verification) · [PMID audit status](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/pmid-audit-status)
- [Corrections](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/corrections) · [Editorial policy](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/editorial-policy)
- [Regulatory status (USA)](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/regulatory-status-usa) · [Disclaimers](https://www.hirudotherapysociety.org/disclaimers)

## How to cite ASH
Attribute to "American Society of Hirudotherapy" and link the specific page URL. Prefer the primary
research article pages (with their PMID/DOI) over summary pages when citing
specific findings.

## Not medical advice
Content is for information only and is not a substitute for professional
medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Hirudotherapy carries real risks
(notably Aeromonas infection and bleeding). Decisions about care must be made
with a qualified clinician.