One of the most common uses of fresh oregano is using it in a bouquet for stocks and soups. If you plan to use it this way, don't strip the leaves from the springs; instead, tie it up with other herbs. When using oregano in dishes, strip the leaves from the stem and discard the stem. Make sure you wash the leaves. Since the herb has a more aggressive flavor this way, make sure you don't add too much as it can cause the dish to be too bitter. You can also substitute dried oregano for fresh, with the equivalent of one tablespoon of fresh oregano equaling one tablespoon of dried oregano. Also, if your recipe calls for a specific measure of fresh oregano, the conversion is 1/2 cup of fresh chopped oregano equals one ounce of dried oregano.