CHEROKEE—Grounded in the desire to embrace self-care inspired by the earth, best friends Jilisa Jackson and Sara Cramer co-founded Salt Crystal Apothic in downtown Cherokee.
This small-batch apothecary (the term refers to a shop focused on natural and herbal remedies) was literally built by hand and is rooted in their shared belief that wellness products should be accessible, functional, and made without cancer-causing carcinogens.
Cramer lives with chronic pain stemming from a severe car wreck as a teen, making her a “titanium woman,” and Jackson was recently diagnosed with Graves’ disease, which is an autoimmune disorder where antibodies stimulate the thyroid to overproduce hormones.
As a result, the two were seeking natural remedies to aid in their pain relief.
Initially the duo, whom met in 2012, started a medical marijuana company in 2020 developing topicals with CBD and THC. That sparked the question: What can other plants do for human bodies?
“We ventured into herbs,” Cramer said.
Since 2012, Jackson has been doing cosmetology in town and her salon’s esthetician (a licensed skincare professional who enhances personal appearance through non-medical topical treatments) suggested doing topical goods such as face serums and face wash, so together Jackson and Cramer concocted a plan to make a line of skin and body products that were ecofriendly and sustainable.
With Jackson as the creative person writing the recipes and Cramer as the scientist experimenting with the recipe ingredients—“We balance each other out,” Jackson noted—they developed herbal products through trial and error that are chemical-free, all natural, and most importantly, affordable.
“If we can’t shop [our store], we shouldn’t expect anyone else to,” Cramer said.
Rooted to the community
Jackson grew up in Cherokee and has raised her kids there. Cramer moved to Cherokee when “my dad took her dad’s job after he retired,” she said, and resides with her husband next door to Jackson, who with a grin highly recommended living next door to your best friend.
Originally Jackson’s salon was at the front of the building she owns where Salt Crystal Apothic is now. She moved the salon to the back of the building with its own separate entrance so that the apothecary could have the store front.
“We built the whole thing,” Jackson said, referring to the store’s custom shelving and counter. Armed with power tools, she said, “We’re not carpenters, but we moonlight as them.”
A friend designed the website and connected it to the point-of-sale system so Salt Crystal Apothic could not only have foot traffic but an e-commerce presence too.
The co-owners credit the rural Northwest Oklahoma community of 1,500 people not far from the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge—where the selenite crystals can be found thus the shop’s namesake—for helping make all the pieces fall into place when they opened in October 2024.
“We love Cherokee,” they said.
Sourcing local
Salt Crystal Apothic features handcrafted goods such as reusable household items, soaps, and wax melts made by local artisans from Alfalfa County in the store alongside their own cleaning products, laundry detergent, balms, lotions, and skin care line.
“The lip balm is our pride and joy,” Cramer said.
One of the most popular items for customers is the refill station for the oils, shampoos, and soaps, and they’re always expanding the selections.
For example, Jackson said, the concentrated, unscented, and hypoallergenic laundry detergent comes as liquid or powder, can be bought by the scoop, and then be customized with essential or fragrance oils.
“Purchasing a refill is significantly cheaper,” Cramer said, adding it not only cuts the cost, but also eliminates waste in the landfills. “You can bring your own container, such as bottles or bags, even soup cans. Use what you have. And we give a discount if you bring in the empty package (from one of the items previously purchased) for us to recycle.”
They are always dreaming of new remedies and recipes to incorporate into the apothecary, and they both are patrons of their own products.
“It’s not just herbs and herbal remedies,” Jackson said. “There’s something for everyone here.”
Cramer knows there are skeptics out there about what Salt Crystal Apothic has to offer because she was one.
“It’s insane what this store has opened my eyes to,” she said.
Salt Crystal Apothic, 217 S. Grand, Cherokee, is generally open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; be sure to check before driving over as sometimes they unexpectedly close due to their personal health conditions. Call (580) 366-1489, go online to saltcrystalapothic.com, and/or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.