Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($)	Total	Total NeoStem, Inc. Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Series B Convertible Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Stock	Non- Controlling Interest in Subsidiary
Beginning Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2015			10,000	5,673,302
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 23,283,824	$ 23,713,533	$ 100	$ 5,673	$ 396,547,401	$ 486	$ (372,132,490)	$ (707,637)	$ (429,709)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(12,047,796)	(11,980,917)					(11,980,917)		(66,879)
Unrealized gain/loss on marketable securities	(486)	(486)
Share-based compensation (in shares)				92,181
Share-based compensation	851,245	851,245		$ 92	851,153
Proceeds from issuance of common stock (in shares)				146,844
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	1,096,208	1,096,208		$ 147	1,096,061
Change in Ownership in Subsidiary	0	(17,815)			(17,815)				17,815
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2016	13,182,995	13,661,768	$ 100	$ 5,912	398,476,800	0	(384,113,407)	(707,637)	(478,773)
Ending Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2016			10,000	5,912,327
Beginning Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2016			10,000	8,205,790
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	4,066,480	4,883,909	$ 100	$ 8,206	410,372,049	0	(404,788,809)	(707,637)	(817,429)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(9,793,324)	(9,359,827)					(9,359,827)		(433,497)
Share-based compensation (in shares)				113,287
Share-based compensation	509,550	509,550		$ 113	509,437
Proceeds from issuance of common stock (in shares)				634,235
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	3,241,460	3,241,460		$ 634	3,240,826
Change in Ownership in Subsidiary	0	(66,066)			(66,066)				66,066
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2017	$ (1,975,834)	$ (790,974)	$ 100	$ 8,953	$ 414,056,246	$ 0	$ (414,148,636)	$ (707,637)	$ (1,184,860)
Ending Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2017			10,000	8,953,312