The Business Principal of consolidation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
NeoStem, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Minority Interest Ownership Percentage By Parent [String]	Parent  Company
NeoStem, Inc. [Member] | Location [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
The Business [Text Block]	United States of America
NeoStem Therapies, Inc [Member] | Location [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
The Business [Text Block]	United States of America
NeoStem Therapies, Inc [Member] | UNITED STATES
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Subsidiary, Ownership Interest by Parent	100.00%
Stem Cell Technologies, Inc [Member] | Location [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
The Business [Text Block]	United States of America
Stem Cell Technologies, Inc [Member] | UNITED STATES
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Subsidiary, Ownership Interest by Parent	100.00%
Amorcyte, LLC [Member] | Location [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
The Business [Text Block]	United States of America
Amorcyte, LLC [Member] | UNITED STATES
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Subsidiary, Ownership Interest by Parent	100.00%
CBH Acquisition LLC [Member] | Location [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
The Business [Text Block]	United States of America
CBH Acquisition LLC [Member] | UNITED STATES
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Subsidiary, Ownership Interest by Parent	100.00%
China Biopharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Minority Interest Ownership Percentage By Parent [String]	100% owned by CBH Acquisition LLC
China Biopharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Location [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
The Business [Text Block]	United States of America
China Biopharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. [Member] | UNITED STATES
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Ownership Interest	100.00%
Suzhou Erye Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd. [Member] | CHINA
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Ownership Interest	51.00%
Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC [Member] | Location [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
The Business [Text Block]	United States of America
Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC [Member] | UNITED STATES
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Subsidiary, Ownership Interest by Parent	100.00%
NeoStem Family Storage, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Minority Interest Ownership Percentage By Parent [String]	100% owned by PCT
NeoStem Family Storage, LLC [Member] | Location [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
The Business [Text Block]	United States of America
NeoStem Family Storage, LLC [Member] | UNITED STATES
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Ownership Interest	100.00%
Athelos Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Minority Interest Ownership Percentage By Parent [String]	80.1% owned by PCT
Athelos Corporation [Member] | Location [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
The Business [Text Block]	United States of America
Athelos Corporation [Member] | UNITED STATES
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Ownership Interest	80.10%
PCT Allendale, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Minority Interest Ownership Percentage By Parent [String]	100% owned by PCT
PCT Allendale, LLC [Member] | Location [Member]
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
The Business [Text Block]	United States of America
PCT Allendale, LLC [Member] | UNITED STATES
Schedule of Subisidiary [Line Items]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Ownership Interest	100.00%