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	(26,766,572)	(26,446,692)					(26,446,692)		(319,880)
Share-based compensation (in shares)				451,666
Share-based compensation	5,412,451	5,412,451		452	5,441,166
Stock Granted, Value, Share-based Compensation, Forfeited								(29,167)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				3,949,255
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	21,517,422	21,517,422		3,949	21,513,473
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period				16,369
Proceeds from exercise of options	86,658	86,658		16	86,642
Proceeds from warrant exercise (in shares)				401,215
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Warrant Exercises	2,126,291	2,126,291		402	2,125,889
Warrant Inducements	(62,014)	(62,014)			(62,014)
Change in Ownership in Subsidiary	0	(111,680)			(111,680)				111,680
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	35,134,395	35,699,565	100	21,194	260,212,091	0	(223,839,053)	(694,767)	(565,170)
Ending Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2013			10,000	21,193,870
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	(43,776,220)	(43,261,343)					(43,261,343)		(514,877)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax	112	112				112
Share-based compensation (in shares)				727,158
Share-based compensation	8,941,452	8,941,452		727	8,940,725
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				1,850,081
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	11,275,109	11,275,109		1,850	11,273,259
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period				48,987
Proceeds from exercise of options	271,008	271,008		49	270,959
Proceeds from warrant exercise (in shares)				333,250
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Warrant Exercises	1,720,725	1,720,725		333	1,720,392
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions				5,329,510
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions	21,600,351	21,600,351		5,330	21,595,021
Change in Ownership in Subsidiary	0	(86,617)			(86,617)				86,617
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 62,058,972	$ 63,003,272	$ 100	$ 35,486	$ 343,308,264	$ 112	$ (279,634,948)	$ (705,742)	$ (944,300)
Ending Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2014			10,000	35,485,523