Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $)	Total	Total NeoStem, Inc. Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member] Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 32,820,159	$ 33,177,129	$ 100	$ 16,375	$ 231,218,615	$ 0	$ (197,392,361)	$ (665,600)	$ (356,970)
Beginning Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012			10,000	16,375,365
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(17,489,971)	(17,375,935)					(17,375,935)		(114,036)
Share-based compensation (in shares)				304,402
Share-based compensation	3,314,197	3,314,197		304	3,313,893
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				2,883,847
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	14,248,148	14,248,148		2,884	14,245,264
Proceeds from exercise of options	0
Proceeds from warrant exercise (in shares)				20,761
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Warrant Exercises	105,881	105,881		21	105,860
Warrant Inducements	6,239	6,239			6,239
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	32,992,175	33,463,181	100	19,584	248,877,393	0	(214,768,296)	(665,600)	(471,006)
Ending Balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2013			10,000	19,584,375
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	62,026,435	62,542,475	100	27,197	299,594,525	0	(236,373,605)	(705,742)	(516,040)
Beginning Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013			10,000	27,196,537
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(26,599,576)	(26,287,074)					(26,287,074)		(312,502)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax	998	998				998
Share-based compensation (in shares)				456,709
Share-based compensation	5,653,451	5,653,451		457	5,652,994
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				1,650,081
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	10,149,438	10,149,438		1,650	10,147,788
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period				41,136
Proceeds from exercise of options	230,183	230,183		41	230,142
Proceeds from warrant exercise (in shares)				265,250
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Warrant Exercises	1,373,925	1,373,925		264	1,373,661
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions				5,329,510
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions	24,462,451	24,462,451		5,330	24,457,121
Change in Ownership in Subsidiary	0	(86,618)			(86,618)				86,618
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2014	$ 77,297,305	$ 78,039,229	$ 100	$ 34,939	$ 341,369,613	$ 998	$ (262,660,679)	$ (705,742)	$ (741,924)
Ending Balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2014			10,000	34,939,223