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)	(27,220,171)	(26,698,166)					(26,698,166)		(522,005)
Unrealized gain/loss on marketable securities	(486)	(486)				(486)
Share-based compensation (in shares)				104,754
Share-based compensation	2,275,616	2,275,616		$ 105	2,275,511
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock (in shares)				2,403,865
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	11,650,712	11,650,712		$ 2,404	11,648,308
Change in Ownership in Subsidiary	0	(195,219)			(195,219)				195,219
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	9,989,495	10,745,990	$ 100	$ 8,182	410,276,001	0	(398,830,656)	(707,637)	(756,495)
Ending Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2016			10,000	8,181,921
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)	25,123,901	25,841,566					25,841,566		(717,665)
Unrealized gain/loss on marketable securities	(28,717)	(28,717)				(28,717)
Share-based compensation (in shares)				54,545
Share-based compensation	2,412,981	2,412,981		$ 55	2,412,926
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock (in shares)				1,162,831
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	5,678,632	5,678,632		$ 1,162	5,677,470
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	(203,145)			(203,145)				203,145
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 52,980,327	$ 53,332,710	$ 100	$ 9,427	$ 433,006,780	$ (28,717)	$ (378,947,243)	$ (707,637)	$ (352,383)
Ending Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2017			10,000	9,427,001