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 income (loss)	(19,932,566)	(19,815,633)					(19,815,633)		(116,933)
Unrealized gain/loss on marketable securities	(486)	(486)				(486)
Share-based compensation (in shares)				95,355
Share-based compensation	1,235,144	1,235,144		$ 95	1,235,049
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock (in shares)				158,092
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	1,050,712	1,050,712		$ 159	1,050,553
Change in Ownership in Subsidiary	0	(133,012)			(133,012)				133,012
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2016	5,636,628	6,050,258	$ 100	$ 5,927	398,699,991	0	(391,948,123)	(707,637)	(413,630)
Ending Balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2016			10,000	5,926,749
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 income (loss)	28,671,684	29,359,182					29,359,182		(687,498)
Unrealized gain/loss on marketable securities	(57,860)	(57,860)				(57,860)
Share-based compensation (in shares)				54,545
Share-based compensation	2,350,652	2,350,652		$ 55	2,350,597
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock (in shares)				648,432
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	3,278,632	3,278,632		$ 648	3,277,984
Proceeds from option exercises (in shares)				3,835
Proceeds from option exercises	13,576	13,576		$ 4	13,572
Elimination of non-controlling interests associated with PCT sale	(3,686,526)								(3,686,526)
Reclassification of redeemable securities	19,400,000	14,733,908			14,733,908				4,666,092
Change in Ownership in Subsidiary	0	(141,180)			(141,180)				141,180
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2017	$ 54,036,638	$ 54,420,819	$ 100	$ 8,913	$ 430,606,930	$ (57,860)	$ (375,429,627)	$ (707,637)	$ (384,181)
Ending Balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2017			10,000	8,912,602