Valerian Root Harvest

We're just up to harvesting our first crop of Valerian and was interested to know if you had any tips on washing it. Does it affect the constituents if you remove the roots from the rhizome to dry it. It is very labour intensive otherwise.

A successful valerian grower spoke at the Fourth Richters Commercial Herb Growing Conference last year (1999). According to Victor Ostrovicz, valerian is best grown in sandy soil which makes it easier to clean the roots. If it is grown in heavier soils such as clay, he suggested a root washer such as those used for ginseng could work. For himself, he simply allows his sandy soil to fall away with drying and followed by tumbling.
The conference transcripts can be ordered on the Richters website. They will be available from the second half of 2000. (They are still in production as of this posting, April, 2000.)