What is the purpose of administering 10 mg CM‑glucan syrup and Thrombolief (herbal) extract syrup to children with mild respiratory‑tract infections or asthma?

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Last updated: February 27, 2026View editorial policy

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Purpose of CM-Glucan and Thrombolief Extract Syrups in Children

Based on available evidence, neither "10mg CM-glucan syrup" nor "Thrombolief extract syrup" are recognized or recommended in established clinical guidelines for pediatric respiratory conditions or asthma. These products do not appear in any major pediatric asthma or respiratory infection guidelines from organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Thoracic Society, or British Thoracic Society.

Evidence-Based Alternatives for Respiratory Support

Beta-Glucan Products (If This Is What "CM-Glucan" Refers To)

If the question concerns beta-glucan supplementation in children with respiratory issues:

  • Beta-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus (pleuran) combined with vitamin C demonstrated improved asthma control in children under 12 years with partially controlled perennial asthma (21.8 ± 3.5 vs. 20.3 ± 4.0; P = 0.02) after 24 weeks of treatment 1

  • In children ≥12 years, the same pleuran/vitamin C combination reduced respiratory tract infection frequency (0.7 ± 1.0 vs. 1.9 ± 1.7; P = 0.002) compared to vitamin C alone 1

  • Children under 12 years receiving pleuran/vitamin C showed significantly fewer asthma exacerbations (2.5 ± 1.6 vs. 3.3 ± 1.9; P = 0.05) 1

  • Anti-allergic effects of pleuran include significant reduction in peripheral blood eosinophilia and stabilization of total IgE levels, particularly in atopic children with recurrent respiratory tract infections 2

Herbal Preparations for Respiratory Symptoms

  • A traditional herbal mixture (containing Matricaria chamomilla, Althaea officinalis, Malva sylvestris, and others) given for 5 days at onset of common cold symptoms in asthmatic children significantly decreased cough severity (p=0.049) and nighttime awakenings (p=0.029) 3

  • Echinacea-based compounds with beta-glucan, vitamin C, arabinogalactan, and zinc reduced inflammatory episodes from 3±2.19 to 1±0.93 over 6 months (P=0.04) in children with recurrent pharyngotonsillitis or otitis media 4

Guideline-Recommended First-Line Treatments

For Mild Persistent Asthma in Children

  • Low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (400 mcg/day budesonide or beclomethasone equivalent) are the preferred first-line treatment for children with mild persistent asthma 5, 6

  • Reassessment within 2-4 weeks is essential, as asthma-related cough typically resolves within 2-7 days of appropriate ICS therapy 5

  • Alternative controller options include leukotriene receptor antagonists (montelukast) or cromolyn, though these are less effective than ICS 5, 6

For Recurrent Wheezing in Young Children

  • Initiate long-term ICS therapy when children have >3 wheezing episodes in the past year lasting >1 day and affecting sleep, PLUS either parental asthma history or physician-diagnosed atopic dermatitis 5, 6

  • Budesonide nebulizer solution is FDA-approved for children 1-8 years; fluticasone DPI for children ≥4 years 6

  • Delivery via MDI with spacer and face mask is preferred for children under 4-5 years who cannot coordinate standard MDI technique 6, 7

Critical Caveats

  • No evidence supports using unproven herbal syrups as substitutes for guideline-based asthma controller therapy 5

  • Antihistamines and OTC cough medications have minimal to no efficacy in relieving cough in children and should not be used 5

  • Bronchodilators alone provide only symptomatic relief without modifying disease progression or preventing asthma development 6

  • Growth monitoring is essential when using ICS, though recommended doses (≤400 mcg/day) have not shown clinically significant long-term effects on growth, bone density, or adrenal suppression 8

  • If symptoms do not improve within 2-4 weeks of appropriate ICS therapy, consider alternative diagnoses such as gastroesophageal reflux, anatomic abnormalities (present in ~33% of persistent wheezers), or aspiration (10-15% of cases) 5, 7

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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