The invention belongs to the field of compound drugs, which relates to new drug application of crocin and a derivant thereof, in particular to application of crocin and a derivant in preparing a hypnotic drug and a health product. The crocin is ester formed by combining crocetin2-naphtholum8-sulfoacid with two-molecule gentiobiose with a chemical formula of C44H62O24 and molecular weight of 974.97. An animal experiment proves that the non-rapid eye movement sleep (slow wave sleep) time can be increased to treat insomnia or improve sleep quality, and the sleeping quantity is improved with dosedependent. The crocin and the derivant thereof can be used for preparing sedative-hypnotic drugs and health products and can be prepared into intestinal or non-intestinal combination drugs which comprise granules, tablets, liquid preparations, sustained release agents, medicinal granules, gelatin pearls, capsules or injections.