Oregano is a perennial herb belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae), native to the Mediterranean region. It is commonly used in Italian, Greek, and Mexican cuisines. The processing of oregano as an ingredient typically involves harvesting the fresh leaves, which are then dried either naturally in the sun or through mechanical drying methods to preserve their essential oils and flavors. Once dried, the leaves can be crumbled or ground into a fine powder, and are often packaged as whole leaves, flakes, or powder for culinary use.