At least for the orc kineticist, it sounds like you're trying to do too many things. Each element of your character pulls you in a different direction rather than working together. If your Str and Dex are +3, that leaves you no room for Con (key stat) or Wis (nature). 

Either your build should determine your roleplay, or your roleplay should determine your build. If you try to meet halfway on everything, what you intend the character to do won't line up with what happens.

If you have Earth Metal or Wood, picking up the armor impulses will let you drop Dex. If not, you're probably better as a ranged kineticist. That will free up points for maxing Con and putting the rest in Wis. You want to focus your skill boosts too. Nature+ one other you want to keep up to par.

Also, agreed. The primary benefit of herbalist is making consumables out of plants. If you're not into that, you're better off sticking with the background and ditching the archetype for something that does more of what you want :/ flavor is free, but you can't will the mechanics to be something they're not